Recommended by James Odin Wade

  • James Odin Wade: The Circle by Geoffrey Simon Brown
    “

    It's been a couple years since I saw The Circle staged at ATP and the play has stuck with me. The fact that I both empathized with the character Mutt *and* his friends' aggression against him really frightened me. A play about youth that doesn't talk down to young people. This play was electrifying for a lot of young artists I know and I hope it continues to have a production life, especially in schools.

    It's been a couple years since I saw The Circle staged at ATP and the play has stuck with me. The fact that I both empathized with the character Mutt *and* his friends' aggression against him really frightened me. A play about youth that doesn't talk down to young people. This play was electrifying for a lot of young artists I know and I hope it continues to have a production life, especially in schools.

    ”
  • James Odin Wade: Daisy by Sean Devine
    “

    I had the pleasure of reading this play while on an awards jury. It's whip-smart, cleverly constructed and eerily prescient in today's political climate. I dearly hope to be in the same city as a production of this play soon. A powerful piece that has stayed with me since reading it.

    I had the pleasure of reading this play while on an awards jury. It's whip-smart, cleverly constructed and eerily prescient in today's political climate. I dearly hope to be in the same city as a production of this play soon. A powerful piece that has stayed with me since reading it.

    ”
  • James Odin Wade: The Only Good Boy by Chelsea Woolley
    “

    I saw a production of The Only Good Boy in Calgary put on by Theatre BSMT in 2016 and the play shook me. It uses its surreality to maximum effect and Woolley's script is deeply connected to each character, even as they are so disconnected from one another. Its comedy felt uniquely weaponized, employed to purposely disquiet the audience and question our assumptions of the situation we're witnessing. Great play.

    I saw a production of The Only Good Boy in Calgary put on by Theatre BSMT in 2016 and the play shook me. It uses its surreality to maximum effect and Woolley's script is deeply connected to each character, even as they are so disconnected from one another. Its comedy felt uniquely weaponized, employed to purposely disquiet the audience and question our assumptions of the situation we're witnessing. Great play.

    ”
  • James Odin Wade: Miss Katelyn's Grade Threes Prepare for the Inevitable by Elena Belyea
    “

    This is one of my favourite plays. What locks me into it is not just the pitch-perfect black comedy of Miss Katelyn's amazing/horrifying teaching techniques, but that Elena writes her with such empathy that your heart breaks for her even as your fear about her reaches a fever pitch. This is a smart, scary and beautiful gut-punch of a play.

    This is one of my favourite plays. What locks me into it is not just the pitch-perfect black comedy of Miss Katelyn's amazing/horrifying teaching techniques, but that Elena writes her with such empathy that your heart breaks for her even as your fear about her reaches a fever pitch. This is a smart, scary and beautiful gut-punch of a play.

    ”