In January The Theatre Centre and Project: Humanity present Small Axe, a new piece of documentary theatre that brings to the stage stories of lesbian, gay and transgender (LGBT) people of colour from Jamaica and the Jamaican-Canadian Diaspora. Their voices, alongside the voice of playwright Andrew Kushnir, contribute to an unflinching and timely exploration of what it means for a white queer artist to engage with injustice in a black community. Investigating homophobia and racism, intersectionality and privilege, Small Axe is on stage Jan. 17 to Feb. 1 at The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen St. W.).
"Over the last four years Andrew and I have undergone an extraordinarily personal creative journey," said director, Alan Dilworth. "I am thrilled to bring Small Axe to the stage with the perfect cast and creative team to tell this extremely human and complex and critical story. I would liken it to a docu-theatre Oedipus for the 21st Century."
In Small Axe, a queer white documentary theatre-maker (Kushnir) begins investigating homophobia and homophobic violence in Jamaica. But what starts as a quest to expose an injustice that outrages him, turns into a burning call for his own personal transformation. In the documentary style, first seen in Project:Humanity's award-winning The Middle Place, Small Axe is a powerful dialogue about how race, privilege and appropriation can frame one's perspective.
Featuring an ensemble cast of Sarah Afful,
Michael Blake,
Lisa Codrington, Chy Ryan Spain, Marcel Stewart and Kushnir, Small Axe asks: "how do we justly engage with an injustice?" and "to whom does an injustice belong?" Through a variety of encounters - with activists, refugees, priests and ministers, journalists, artists, Pride Week revelers and many queer people of colour - Small Axe challenges audiences to bravely face societal differences, and discover how everyone is intricately connected.
Small Axe has been in development through The Theatre Centre's Residency Program since 2010. Throughout this time Kushnir and Dilworth have worked with many collaborators, including Jamaican and Jamaican-Canadian community leaders, who have influenced the Small Axe journey. One of these voices is Gareth Henry, a Toronto activist whose stories from the front lines of the Jamaican LGBT liberation movement are featured in the play.
"Small Axe will definitely allow for transformative action to occur as it challenges attitudes, perceptions, culture and behaviour - not just those of one community, but all communities," said Henry. "The play is not about shame or blame. It is about how we communicate with one another around injustice and inspire mutual responsibility."
Project: Humanity and The Theatre Centre are partnering with the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) to bring a wider community into the discussion around Small Axe, as part of their commitment to involve a variety of voices in these conversations.
On Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. a special benefit performance entitled Small Axe in Solidarity will raise funds for Black CAP and Dwayne's House, a Jamaican LGBT organization looking to provide a permanent shelter for homeless gay, lesbian, and transgender youth in Kingston, Jamaica. More information about the benefit is available at
projecthumanity.ca. Following every performance of Small Axe, a moderator from Black CAP will facilitate "The Passing of the Mic" - an opportunity for audience members to publicly respond to the issues and questions raised in the play, immediately after their experience. Additional programming throughout the run will include, a visual art exhibit featuring the works of queer Jamaican-Canadian artists, student performances and youth workshops led by Project: Humanity
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