Watch:"Fighting Days" chronicles important events in Winnipeg's past

One of the main themes of the play is democracy, equality, justice for all. It starts off with the vote for women, but that's such a tiny segment of the whole picture. Can we as human beings learn to live together in harmony? We're not quite there yet."

—Sarah Constible, playing the role of Francis Beynon

It was 100 years ago. Winnipeg women were the first in Canada - the first to get the right to vote. Those were fighting days.And that's the name of the latest play opening at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Fighting Days by Wendy Lill tells the story of Nelly McClung, well known for her role in the suffrage movement. It also introduces us to Francis Beynon, a character less well known today, but just as important as McClung in the fight for women's rights. Beynon moved to Winnipeg from the farm in 1910. She gets a job at a local newspaper, which is where she meets McClung, whom she deeply admires. The two gradually make their separate ways as Beynon forges in a new direction.

"One of the main themes of the play is democracy, equality, justice for all," reveals Sarah Constible, who plays the role of Francis. "It starts off with the vote for women, but that's such a tiny segment of the whole picture."

The cast also features Marina Stephenson Kerr as Nellie, Richard Clarkin and Daria Puttaert. The production of Fighting Days runs at MTC February 9 to March 3.

Come back to SCENE Friday to check out Joff Schmidt's review of the show.