Winnipeg's Carol Shields Festival promises "dangerous" theatre

New theatre is always a risk - for both artists and audiences.

Which is part of why this year's edition of the annual Carol Shields Festival of New Works focuses on the theme of "Theatre In Dangerous Times" (although the fact that all of the events, except the opening night gala, are free takes some of the risk out of the equation for the audience).

And while everything at the festival provides a great opportunity to see new work, particularly from local writers, here are three "don't miss" events at this year's festival.

1. Reading of Michael Healey's Proud (Saturday, May 5 @ 9:00 p.m.): This new script by one of Canada's best playwrights may be the most controversial Canadian play never staged (so far).

The trouble stems from the fact that the play centres on a character called "The Prime Minister," who Healey acknowledges is based on our current PM - and the fact that Healey resigned from Tarragon, the Toronto theatre he used to work with, when they declined to produce the play.

Was it because of the political nature of the play? Good question, but the bigger question this weekend will be, "How good is it?" We'll be among the first to find out, when PTE presents a reading featuring an all-star local cast. Good question, but the bigger question this weekend will be, "How good is it?" We'll be among the first to find out, when PTE presents a reading featuring an all-star local cast.

2. Reading of the French translation of Talk (Friday, May 4 @ 7:30 p.m.): This play by Winnipeg Jewish Theatre artistic director Michael Nathanson debuted in 2005, and went on to receive a Governor General's Award nomination. But this will be the premiere of the French language adaptation, translated by local playwright Marc Prescott.

Nathanson's sharp dialogue in this play (which explores the Middle East conflict through the dissolution of a friendship) is one of its most striking features - so how will it hold up in translation? We'll see this weekend.

3. Under Construction... (Saturday, May 5 @ 5:30): Ever wonder how playwrights actually work? Now you can find out, by observing them in their natural environment!

Members of PTE's Playwriting Unit (which includes Sharon Bajer and Rick Chafe - whose plays Burnin' Love and The Secret Mask have recently hit the PTE stage) will meet in the PTE lobby to discuss their current projects - and they'll invite audience members to sit in.

The Carol Shields Festival is presented by Prairie Theatre Exchange, in cooperation with various local theatre companies.  It runs May 3-5.