It’s showtime…

Persephone Productions brings you the Montreal English language premiere of Kevin Kerr's Unity (1918) . Set in the small town of Unity, Saskatchewan in 1918, as the First World War rages on, claiming the lives of thousands of soldiers, the world is suddenly stricken by a mysterious and deadly virus. The small town of Unity seals itself off in an attempt to keep the flu at bay, but despite all the precautions, the disease descends. The community struggles to survive with courage, humour, compassion and romance. Unity (1918), is set in a chapter of Canadian history now long past, when more people died of the Spanish flu epidemic, affecting young people in the prime of their lives, than at the front lines. Kerr however, has dramatized these events with a contemporary treatment both in the creation of the characters, their painful and funny dialogue, and the structure of the play.

Chris Moore plays Stan, a citizen of Unity, whose wife recently passed away during childbirth and who has to deal with his crops not doing too well. “It’s pretty dark, but it has some comedy too. I think it’s good mix,” he said.

Director Gabrielle Soskin commented on the play’s relevance and significance. “Unity (1918) explores, with humour and empathy, the familiar shortcomings of human nature in the face of tragedy.” she said, adding: “In so doing, Kerr connects us to our own world and journey as we too deal with the very real fear of a possible pandemic and the continual threat of warfare. It is not, by any means, just a period piece.”

What’s next for Chris? “I’m leaving for Ottawa to do a remount of a show we did last year called The Green Field Beyond.” The actor is also involved in a theatre company in Montreal, so he’ll soon be back in town for you to enjoy. In the meantime there are six presentations of Unity (1918) left.