Teesri Duniya Theatre’s Counter Offence

COUNTER OFFENCE

Written by Rahul Varma Directed by Arianna Bardesono

Wednesday, March 11– Sunday, March 29, 2020

In counterpoint, domestic violence and racism blur, distorting the issues while officials satisfy their own agendas. Continuing their mandate to encourage dialogue, the company will hold post-show talkbacks on March 16, 22, 24 and 29. An evolving, interactive installation of visual art will be in the lobby complementing the production. Mature content—ages 13+.

Counter Offence is a collision of virtues. Shazia, an Indo-Québecoise woman with traditional Muslim parents, is in an abusive relationship with her husband Shapoor, an Iranian facing immigration issues. What happens when the fight against racism comes into conflict with the struggle to end violence against women? Working backwards through flashbacks, the intersection of the two is explored. The consequences of gender versus race force us to question our own prejudices and motivations.

Reflecting the streets of Montreal, the talented, culturally diverse cast is Maureen Adelson, Amena Ahmad, Michael Briganti, Davide Chiazzese, Alida Esmail, Minoo Gundevia, Amir Sám Nakhjavani and Arun Varma.

From playwright Rahul Varma: “Whenever I spoke to peers about the play’s themes, their usual comment was: ‘This happens a lot in your community, doesn’t it?’ From what I knew, yes it did. But I was surprised they didn’t ask the same question of themselves. According to available statistics and cultural evidence, domestic violence occurs in the white community just as it does in the South Asian community, and perhaps more often. I was perturbed by the dichotomy that Canadians perceive spousal abuse as a crime if the perpetrator is a white male, but a cultural value if he is a person of colour. Throughout the writing process I was confronted with issues of race, multiculturalism and gender. I struggled with how far a multicultural society and its laws tolerate cultural differences that could have coercive effects on women; a complicated issue which posed new questions.”

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Teesri Duniya Theatre’s Counter Offence
March 11-29

at Segal Centre for Performing Arts, 5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine Rd.

The show runs: Mon.-Sun. 8pm—NO SHOW ON FRIDAYS—plus Sundays & Tues. Mar. 24 at 2pm

Tickets: $25-$29; Monday night promotion—50%* off the second ticket (*by phone/door only)

514 739-7944 or online at Segal Centre

Pay-It-Forward: Purchase a Counter Offence ‘suspended ticket’ which goes directly to a member of a community organization, giving the gift of theatre to someone who cannot otherwise afford it.

www.teesriduniyatheatre.com

www.facebook.com/events/218818525670152/