What does benevolence actually mean? A quick Google search led me to dictionary definitions that included, “a disposition to do good” or “an act of kindness” or “generous gift.”
Benevolence asks us to consider what goodness is, how goodness intersects with community, and whether we can be good in isolation.
Pierre Simpson and Sébastien Dijkstra in Benevolence. Photo: Curtis Perry.
Written by Fanny Britt and translated from French by Leanna Brodie, Benevolence is a dark comedy about a big-time lawyer returning to the fictional Québecois town of Benevolence to try a troubling case involving the child of an old friend.
I attended the opening night performance, and at the beginning of the show, some of the actors took a little time to get into their groove, but I think it was only a case of opening-night jitters. Additionally, some of the dialogue may have been a little challenging to deliver because of slightly awkward translations from the original play. That being said, I think the translator did a really good job of staying true to the essence of the original, and I enjoyed the many deep-cut Québecois references. You can listen to an interview with the translator here.
The story took some time to pick up momentum, starting with a very long and, in my opinion, unnecessary monologue from the narrator providing background on his childhood. Certain characters fell into familiar tropes, such as the overbearing shrill mother or the overworked blue-collar father. But I think the writer was self-aware about the cliché nature of the drama, with one character saying, “Clichés are clichés because there’s truth to them!” and another character responding, “That’s another cliché!”
Mélanie Beauchamp in Benevolence. Photo: Curtis Perry.
The message of the play, that corporate greed and ruthless self-preservation will leave you lonely and unhappy, may have felt heavy-handed, but I think it raised some very necessary questions for our present, late-capitalist moment. At what point do we stand up against the systems that profit off our exploitation?
The standout performance for me was actress Puja Uppal playing the grieving mother, Isabelle Jacques. She may have had the least stage time of any of the actors, but she stole the show with her heartbreaking delivery.
Puja Uppal in Benevolence. Photo: Curtis-Perry.
For those who like attending a performance of A Christmas Carol every year (like me) I recommend trying something new this holiday season. Although Benevolence is not set around Christmas, the themes of charity, generosity and goodness make it a perfect dramedy for the whole family.
The Great Canadian Theatre Company has just announced the launch of a new artist pass that will be available for anyone who self-identifies as an artist. The pass can be purchased for $50, will be valid for one year, and can be used for any show at the theatre an unlimited number of times. The pass can be purchased in-person or over the phone. More information will be available on their website shortly.
Benevolence continues at the Great Canadian Theatre Company until Sunday, December 17. Shows are Tuesday to Friday at 8pm, Saturday 2pm and 8pm and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Tickets cost $39-$55. The show runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes with no intermission.
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