GREEN NIGHT - THE CASCADIA PROJECT FESTIVAL

The Cascadia Project's Green Night consists of two productions, Eight Ways to Fate and All, and Oaks. These are two of six pieces in the project which was founded by Bryan Wade, UBC Professor of Creative Writing. 

Eight Ways to Fate and All, though a well-intentioned piece aimed at bringing awareness to the Opioid Crisis in Vancouver, fell short in a number of ways. Written and Directed by Bryan Wade, this production, unfortunately, failed to acknowledge a significant aspect of opioid use in Vancouver - that those most acutely impacted by this epidemic have been the residents of the Downtown Eastside including people of colour, poorer folks, those with disabilities, people with mental illness, Indigenous people, people in the LGBTQ community, sex workers, and other marginalized/more vulnerable populations. 

Unfortunately, the production as a whole failed to make acknowledgement of the systematic and oppressive aspects of the Opioid Crisis. It erased the stories of many people affected by this epidemic. 

Instead the piece mainly consisted of several dramatic recreations of overdose, akin to a well intentioned, but poorly executed Afterschool Special. 

Further research and consultation with those living and working in the Downtown Eastside would have greatly benefitted this production. 

Oaks, written by Fiona Revill, brought a warm and charming conclusion to the Green Night. Revill's writing was succinct and left room for the imagination. Without the need to be explicit in everything she described, Revill credited the audience with the ability to imagine, discover, and follow along with the production - which we gratefully did. The performers listened to one another beautifully, bringing their sibling relationship to life. This production was grounded, clear, and beautifully written. 

The Green Night Program: Eight Ways to Fate and All and Oaks will be playing September 26th to October 7th at Studio 1398 on Granville Island. Ticket at: https://www.thecascadiaproject.com/

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~ reviewed by Madisen Steele