Vancouver’s Touchstone Theatre and Ruby Slippers Theatre have partnered to present the world premiere of local playwright Pippa Mackie’s absurdist dark comedy, Hurricane Mona.
I wanted to find a way to address climate change with humour in the hopes that it will offer people a chance to have a cathartic community experience. One that is free from blame or guilt. – playwright Pippa Mackie.
“I was driven to create Hurricane Mona, not only to share my past experiences as a young climate activist but create a show that isn’t about educating or blaming people,” says Mackie. “I wanted to find a way to address climate change with humour in the hopes that it will offer people a chance to have a cathartic community experience. One that is free from blame or guilt.”
Hurricane Mona follows the story of Mona, a rebel environmental activist who is placed under court-ordered house arrest after smashing a police car during a climate protest. Forced to serve her term in her parent’s suburban home, tensions flare as Mona rails against the lifestyle choices of her boomer parents and struggles for connection with her withdrawn Gen Z sibling, Jay. When a catastrophe befalls their home, landing the long-feared climate reckoning on their doorstep, Mona and her family must come to grips with their role in the crisis and their unmaking.
Saying he is thrilled to partner with Ruby Slippers to present Mackie’s “urgent crisis comedy,” Touchstone’s artistic director Roy Surrette says Hurricane Mona “shines a burning light on our fears and sense of helplessness about climate change in hilarious, loving, and surprising ways.”
“Like many of us, we at Ruby Slippers Theatre feel the urgency to address and respond to the climate crisis in a way that helps inspire resiliency, action, and, therefore, hope,” adds Ruby Slipper’s artistic director, Diane Brown. “Partnering with Touchstone Theatre on this important project is part of our response, and we are honoured to be working with them and this company of artists.”
Touchstone Theatre and Ruby Slippers Theatre present Pippa Mackie’s Hurricane Mona at The Cultch’s Historic Theatre (1895 Venables St, Vancouver) from November 18 through December 3. Visit thecultch.com for tickets and information.