by Olivia Lester
Blood Offering
Created by Vishesh Abeyratne
Directed by Jacqui du Toit
Ottawa, ON | 75 mins
Ottawa playwright Vishesh Abeyratne began writing Blood Offering in 2019, and the play is being produced at this year’s undercurrents festival. Abeyratne is a talented writer whose work is sure to resonate with audiences. Blood Offering speaks to many contemporary issues in society, such as the rise of far-right extremism, white supremacy, Islamophobia, anti-immigration, and mass gun violence. This play is brilliantly written, incredibly relevant, and raw with emotion.
Blood Offering follows a Muslim high school teacher, Mr. Naqvi, and his student, Farid, who have bonded in grief over the tragic murder of another student, Kayla, in a mass shooting. Farid, who had been quite close with Kayla, is manipulated into aiding her grieving parents in a convoluted plan to avenge her death. Mr. Naqvi finds his morals put to the ultimate test as he struggles to reconcile his need to protect Farid with the guilt that he carries over Kayla’s murder.
The experiences of Mr. Naqvi and Farid speak to the pain, anger, fear, and trauma of navigating the ubiquity of Islamophobia in a post-9/11 world. Moreover, the heartache and grief brought on by gun violence is expressed very clearly in the show. But despite the heavy subject matter, there are several moments of comedic relief, with sarcastic one-liners sprinkled throughout that leave the audience in stitches.
Blood Offering is thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, witty, and full of unexpected twists and turns. I thought it was a spectacular story with an unbelievably talented cast.
Blood Offering is playing at undercurrents until Feb. 17. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, ranging from $10 to $75. For more information and to purchase tickets, see the undercurrents schedule here.
