The playwright and actor in a play cancelled by Victoria91裸聊视频檚 Belfry Theatre over potential local tensions linked to the war between Israel and Hamas says he91裸聊视频檚 disappointed, but empathizes with the situation facing the venue.
Christopher Morris said in a statement Wednesday he91裸聊视频檚 saddened people in Victoria will not have the opportunity to gather in a theatre and share their grief and hope through his play, 91裸聊视频淭he Runner.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淎s a playwright who values the role of theatre as a platform to explore ideas about the complexities of life, I was disappointed to learn that The Belfry removed 91裸聊视频楾he Runner91裸聊视频� from its programming,91裸聊视频� said Morris.
He said he understands the theatre faces a challenging situation by staging a production that explores difficult themes.
91裸聊视频淚 am saddened that people in Victoria, especially those with very divergent views and those traumatized by the atrocities in Israel and Gaza will be denied the opportunity to come together in a theatre to explore their common humanity, share their grief and perhaps discover a flicker of solace and hope,91裸聊视频� Morris said.
The statement said Morris was not available for an interview.
The Belfry Theatre said in a statement that local tensions connected to the Middle East war in Gaza prompted the company to cancel the scheduled run of play, which is set in Israel.
The timing isn91裸聊视频檛 right to stage 91裸聊视频淭he Runner91裸聊视频� by Morris, a Canadian writer and actor, said the theatre.
Morris91裸聊视频檚 one-person play, which had been scheduled as part of a festival in March, explores the reactions to an Israeli rescue volunteer91裸聊视频檚 decision to save a Palestinian woman accused of violence against a soldier from Israel.
The theatre said it booked the play last year to present a contemporary work that could spur discussion, but after a period of difficult consideration the production has been cancelled.
91裸聊视频淭he Belfry Theatre presents contemporary work, with ideas that often generate dialogue,91裸聊视频� said the statement. 91裸聊视频淭hat is why, a year ago, we decided to bring the much-acclaimed play, 91裸聊视频楾he Runner91裸聊视频�, to Victoria. However, we believe that presenting 91裸聊视频楾he Runner91裸聊视频� at this particular time does not ensure the well-being of all segments of our community.91裸聊视频�
The theatre received duelling petitions in recent weeks, alternately calling for the play91裸聊视频檚 cancellation and continued performance at The Belfry, which was spray-painted with graffiti that read 91裸聊视频淔ree Palestine91裸聊视频� last month.
91裸聊视频淕iven the current conflict in the Middle East, this is not the time for a play which may further tensions among our community,91裸聊视频� said the statement. 91裸聊视频淲e will therefore not be presenting 91裸聊视频楾he Runner91裸聊视频� during the 2024 SPARK Festival. This has not been an easy decision, and we are grateful to our community for sharing various perspectives which added to our understanding.91裸聊视频�
Belfry officials were not immediately available for further comment Wednesday.
Morris said since the play91裸聊视频檚 premiere in 2018, it has been staged in six cities, receiving awards and critical acclaim.
91裸聊视频淚 am humbled that theatre companies have produced this play, which is a nuanced and thoughtful conversation about the preciousness of human life,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 am deeply traumatized and saddened by humankind91裸聊视频檚 capacity to wage war. As a Canadian I want our politicians to do all they can to make the violence in Gaza and Israel stop.91裸聊视频�
Morris said he remains hopeful theatre companies and playwrights will continue doing all they can to give audiences opportunities for dialogue.
91裸聊视频淚 believe 91裸聊视频楾he Runner91裸聊视频� is an excellent opportunity for those things to happen,91裸聊视频� he said.
Morris said 91裸聊视频淭he Runner91裸聊视频� is scheduled to play next month in Vancouver as part of the Push Festival.
The festival schedule has 91裸聊视频淭he Runner91裸聊视频� appearing Jan. 24 to 26 at the SFU91裸聊视频檚 Goldcorp Centre for the Performing Arts.
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