Venue: Native Earth’s Aki Studio, 585 Dundas St. E.
Remaining showtimes: July 7, 8, 9, 11 (various times, see Fringe site for more info)
Humanity can be found anywhere, even in prison, but it may require a little extra effort and a touch of otherworldly intervention to see it.
In Chris Majeki’s solo show, CJ goes from a small-town petty drug dealer and addict to a prisoner healing from intergenerational trauma. Thanks to a bevy of characters, including squabbling ancestors from the spirit world, CJ can connect with his First Nations culture and find goodness in himself and others. It’s an all too common story with the over-incarceration of Indigenous peoples, and Mejaki handles it with the dark humour Indigenous peoples are famous for (even if only within our communities).
Typically, when I hear a solo show with multiple characters, I get anxious for the performer. Will they be able to differentiate each character consistently throughout the story? Mejaki assuaged my fears within moments, deftly navigating many distinct voices and mannerisms.
Whistling Pine reminds us that strong community and culture are integral to our humanity and can be found wherever they’re needed.