Unwanted Dead or Alive
A review of the play
by Gwynne Hunt
I first read Elizabeth Hudson’s book, Snowbodies, a coule of year’s ago. I reviewed it for the print Rag and we began to communicate back and forth by email. The book was an excellent story of Elizabeth Hudson’s life on the streets as a sex trade worker and an addict. Very powerful.
Last spring Elizabeth decided to write a play to put in Art Matter’s Festival of Artistic and Creative Expression in June 2009. My theatre company, the Penny-a-Line Players produced this work. I do have to congratulate myself on casting Gai Grown Evans in this hard-hitting one-woman show, as not many actors could carry off 20 minutes on-stage talking to themselves.
Elizabeth set the scene with a woman at a bus stop waiting for a bus, talking to an unseen stranger who keeps asking her questions about why she is nervous. The character unfolds the story of her life through memory and pain. It would be a tough play to do for any actor but Gai held the audience captive with her intense portrayal.
The script itself unveils the reality that you can walk away from your past but it is always with you. The character at the bus stop suffers from post traumatic stress from her life on the streets. She reveals an encounter with Willy Picton (convicted murderer of women from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside) and that revelation is a chilling reminder of how close she came to death.
This was Elizabeth’s first play, and I look forward to more plays from her; she has an amazing story to tell and it plays out well on the stage. Works like Unwanted Dead or Alive strengthen the cause of ending violence against women.
Thumper’s Blog…
Very nice post. I’d like to link back to it from my new blog. Thanks….
Aw, this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my blog. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Well done!
I just couldnt leave your website before saying that I really enjoyed the quality information you offer to your visitors… Will be back often to check up on new stuff you post!
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.You have done a marvellous job!
Excellent ideas here, have emailed my mum so expect a big reply!
Intimately, the post is in reality the greatest on this worthy topic. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your forthcoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be enough, for the phenomenal clarity in your writing. I will immediately grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Authentic work and much success in your business endeavors!
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
self help anxiety…
This editorial would benefit from additional examples. It’s not as apparent as some of the additional information on this site….
Thanks for this interesting information.
Howdy, i study your weblog occasionally and i personal a similar one and i had been just wondering should you get lots of spam comments? If so how do you avoid it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much recently it is driving me mad so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Thank you so much for your thoughts on Unwanted Dead Or Alive RagMag , I totally agree with you. It is fantastic to see a fresh outlook on this and I look forward to more.
Hey there thanks for the quality post, i had a good read.
I typically don’t comment on websites but you have some good readable material.
Thank You For This Post, was added to my bookmarks.
This is a blog that is well put together. Most of them you see out there don’t have any valuable fresh content on their site.
Just wanted to give you a shout from the valley of the sun, great information. Much appreciated.
The well written post encouraged me a lot! Bookmarked your site, very great topics everywhere that I read here! I like the info, thank you.
Once and for all a great writing in relation to the topic, keep up the good work also I hope to learn far more from you in the near future.
Hi, just wandered by. I have a DKNY site. Truly more information than you can imagine on the web. Wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but nice site. Have a great day.