Review: WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW at The Great Canadian Theatre Company

What happens when a woman doesn't want to have kids because it could kill her but the solution for that is considered to be incorrect and untrustable?

Produced by 2B Theatre Company, What A Young Wife Ought to Know, gives the audience a story about Sophie and her process during marriage, sisterhood and motherhood, even when motherhood is not something she was desiring. What A Young Wife Ought to Know is starred by Lisa Repo-Martell, Rebecca Parent and David Patrick Flemming. Directed by Christian Barry and written by Hannah Moscovitch.
This play is a bittersweet narration of young mothers during the Canadian birth control movement of the early 20th century. What A Young Wife Ought to Know tells the story of Sophie, a low-class girl that lives with her sister. 2 miles away from their house there's a hotel with a stable, that's where Sophie meets Johnny, a worker with an intoxicating Irish accent. Through time, Sophie loses her innocence, she has a sexual awakening, she becomes and mother, and she becomes herself. Moscovitch's writing has a perfect mix of darkness and humour, she takes away all the filters when it comes to talking about sex, and she portrays a woman that on the weakest moment, found strength. Also, during this play Moscovitch decides to break the fourth wall and let Sophie tell her story to the audience, asking them questions, seeking for guidance from the modern women on the audience. Hannah Moscovitch should be highly praised for her work on What A Young Wife Ought to Know, by giving the audience a voyeuristic glimpse into what life was before birth control, she breaks our hearts and builds them back by writing the harsh life of Sophie.

What A Young Wife Ought to Know director Christian Barry makes the 75 minutes of play go smoothly and left the audience keep wanting more. Lisa Repo-Martell as Sophie, Rebecca Parent as Alma and David Patrick Flemming as Johnny. If there were a perfect example for a match made in heaven would be the chemistry between Lisa and David, their portrayals of a marriage that it's fighting every day to get by, that they can feel their essence disappearing is incredibly realistic and heartbreaking. Rebecca Parent, playing Alma gives a good performance during the comedic and violent moments of the play. Parent and Repo-Martell show how the sister bond can be either destructive and comforting. On a personal note, I want to praise Lisa Repo-Martell for giving a fantastic performance of Sophie, through her voice, she can give the audience hope, and she can make them feel the horrible pain inside her heart.
What A Young Wife Ought to Know talks about all the false information people believed about sex, it shows the harsh moments of a women's life by fear and oppression can destroy them physically and emotionally. What A Young Wife Ought to Know is a play that is very much needed today. In the tone of Sophie Ladies, Gentlemen need to see this play because it shows where we were, the developments that we made and where do we need to go now.

What A Young Wife Ought to Know is playing at The Great Canadian Theatre Company (1233 Wellington West at Holland) from January 16 to February 4, 2018.
The performance times are: 8:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, Saturday performances begin at 4:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at GCTC's Box Office, calling 613-236-5196 or going to the website GCTC.ca. Regular ticket price range: $42 to $58. Rush Tickets $15 for students; $33 for adults.
Take 75 minutes of your week and see What A Young Wife Ought to Know, and at the end of the play pay attention to the final look Lisa Repo-Martell gives to the audience, it might tender or break your heart.

Photo Credits: The Great Canadian Theatre Company

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