Beautiful Man by Erin Shields
co-produced by Downstage, Handsome Alice and Verb Theatre
February 29 to March 10, 2024
Motel Theatre, Arts Commons
Directed by Clare Preuss
Stage Manager Naomi Esau
Starring Meg Farhall, Linda Kee, Katelyn Morishita, Joel David Taylor
Designers Abbie Brokenshire (costumes), Cassie Holmes (set), Adam Kostiuk (lights), KP Smith (sound/composition)
“A brilliant, brutal reminder of the realities of being a woman in a society that values beauty and compliance. ” ~ Samantha Edwards, Now Magazine
“Shields successfully immerses us into this world of make-believe. She first deconstructs what we know and then builds on a blank slate with heightened ridiculousness.” ~ Prachi Kamble, The Vancouver Arts Review
In this biting satire about the portrayal of women in film and television, three friends take us on a whirlwind tour of a world where women rule society as politicians, hunters, queens and policewomen - all while gazing at the semi-nude Beautiful Man. This comedy joyfully exposes the insidious and toxic aspects of popular culture with a sense of playful audacity. You'll never watch your favourite binge-worthy shows the same way again.