If there’s one thing Michelle Thrush wants you to know, it’s to live life to the fullest.
This message shines through her one-woman show, Inner Elder, as she recalls key moments of her life growing up as a Cree woman in Calgary. Moments of adversity, such as living surrounded substance abuse and a never-ending feeling of not belonging, never slowed the Gemini Award-winning actress: she had her ancestors and the trees on her side.
Her story was simple, but it was seamlessly intertwined with comedic and surprising lines that filled the National Arts Centre’s Azrieli Studio with laughter from the crowd at times, and gasps at others, on the show’s final day on April 13.
Michelle Thrush, Inner Elder. Photo by Curtis Perry.
While I would have loved to hear her story in greater detail, Thrush did a brilliant job of recounting her life story in the 55-minute time block of her show.
Using only a couple of props such as a suitcase, a wig, a bowl of flour, and a couple of ropes to represent a path of trees in the set behind her, Thrush’s imaginative storytelling symbolized a grander heartwarming lesson.
Michelle Thrush, Inner Elder. Photo by Curtis Perry.
The flour played an especially important role, as she weaved the story of her kokum (grandmother) teaching her how to react to other people’s insults by sharing homemade bannock, with an anecdote of Thrush finding her wings as an actress in a particularly emotional role. While it is not directly stated, one can assume the flour represents her ancestors guiding Thrush in her transformation and in finding her purpose in life.
Through the flour and the simple-yet-imaginative staging, Thrush discovers a deep connection with the Earth, her ancestors, and herself.
Michelle Thrush, Inner Elder. Photo by Curtis Perry.
Sometimes sporadic and disjointed, Thrush transforms from a young, exaggerative girl, into a rambunctious kokum right in front of the audience’s eyes throughout the show—figuratively and literally. And it works.
As she turned into a “super kokum,” hunched down in a scarf and cape but still busting a move under a disco ball, the message was clear: laugh more, respect women and your elders, and connect to your own inner elder to forge your own way in life.
Thrush’s ability to deliver such a heartwarming message during a bit that felt more like stand-up comedy was truly a treat to behold.
Inner Elder ran at the National Arts Centre from April 11-13.
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