The Unnatural and Accidental Women facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Unnatural and Accidental Women |
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|---|---|
| Written by | Marie Clements |
| Date of premiere | November 2, 2000 |
| Place of premiere | Firehall Arts Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia,  Canada |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | Missing and murdered Indigenous women, Gilbert Paul Jordan |
| Setting | Downtown Eastside of Vancouver |
The Unnatural and Accidental Women is a powerful play. It was written by Metis playwright Marie Clements. The story is about many Indigenous women who disappeared. These women were from the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. The play explores their lives and stories.
The play aims to show the importance of these women's lives. Their stories were often overlooked by the news. Marie Clements uses a unique style in the play. It moves through time to show the women's last days. A character named Rebecca searches for answers about her mother. Through Rebecca, the women come to life. They share their hopes, dreams, and challenges. They live in a part of Vancouver known as "Skid Row."
About the Play
This play is a special kind of story. It helps us understand important issues. It focuses on the lives of Indigenous women. The play brings their voices to the stage. It shows their strength and spirit.
Who Are the Characters?
The play features many different people. Each character helps tell the story. They show different sides of life in the city.
- Rebecca: She is 4 and 30 years old. She is Mixed blood/Native and a writer.
- Rose: An English immigrant, age 52.
- Aunt Shadie: A Native woman, age 52. She is later found to be Rebecca's mother.
- Mavis: A Native woman, age 42.
- The Woman: A Native woman, age 27.
- Valerie: A Native woman, age 33.
- Verna: A Native woman, age 38.
- Violet: She is 27 and 5 years old. She is Mixed blood/Afro-Canadian.
- The Barbershop Women: A group that sings and dances.
- Marilyn: A Native woman, age 25.
- Penny: A Native woman, age 30.
- Patsy: A Native woman, age 40.
- The Barber: A white man, in his 30s and 60s.
- Ron: A police officer, age 35.
Bringing the Play to Life
The Unnatural and Accidental Women has been performed many times. It first opened on November 2, 2000. The first performances were at the Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver. The play ran until November 25.
Later, the play was produced by Native Earth Performing Arts. This was at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. These shows took place from November 18 to December 5, 2004.
In 2019, the National Arts Centre (NAC) presented the play. This was part of their new Indigenous Theatre department. Muriel Miguel directed this production. PJ Prudat played Rebecca. Monique Mojica played Aunt Shadie. This was the second time Mojica played Aunt Shadie. Many other talented actors were also in the show.
See also
- Unnatural & Accidental, a 2006 film based on the play.
