Founded in 2011, Theatre of the Beat has quickly gained a reputation as a social justice theatre troupe that refuses to shy away from tackling the tough topics.
Forgiven/Forgotten is no exception, addressing issues of crime, reintegration and our responses to those affected by these themes most, making it the perfect way to celebrate Restorative Justice Week, Nov. 20 to 27.
Written by Johnny Wideman, Forgiven/Forgotten follows the varying responses of a community that learns an exoffender will be serving his parole in their midst. This emotionally driven piece will be touring throughout B.C. from Nov. 18 to 28, finalizing a cross-country tour that began in 2013.
The show will be staged at Cedar Park Church in Ladner on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. The 50-minute performance will be followed by a halfhour talk back session. Admission is by donation.
To date, the show has been performed in theatres, universities, high schools, churches, community centres as well as federal and provincial prisons. Regardless of the audience, the shows have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response, inspiring great discussion in the facilitated talk backs that follow each performance.
"Theatre is a great way to spark dialogue," says Wideman, who also directs the play. "The characters we portray put a face to the offender and give voice to the victim. You begin to see the complexities of the issue; you see them as people."
