Stone's Throw Productions Presents THE SHAPE OF A GIRL

Gripping, eye-opening and heart-wrenching. Stone's Throw Productions ignites a thought-provoking exploration on bullying and violence between young girls. In this one-woman show, fifteen-year-old Braidie recounts the bullying she has seen within her own friend group from childhood through to adolescence. She is a bystander who reacts as many people do - looks down and says nothing. Based on the tragic Reena Virk murder, The Shape of a Girl by Joan MacLeod is an important reminder of the scary progression of bullying, the long-lasting damages it can cause, and how doing nothing contributes to the circle of violence.

In 1997, Renna Virk was murdered in Victoria at the age of fourteen. She was lured to a party where she was swarmed and beaten by a group of her peers. She was then followed by two of them and murdered. Seven of the eight charged with aggravated assault or second degree murder were females.

"When people think about young women bullying each other, they may think of cattiness or gossip. With popular comedic movies like Mean Girls, I worry that people underestimate the long-lasting harm words can cause and the malicious violence young women are capable of."- Producer and performer, Lindsay Curl

Many others stood around and watched Reena Virk be beaten. In The Shape of a Girl, Braidie plays the role of the by-stander. While watching TV, Braidie sees a group of girls facing trial for assault and murder. She then comprehends that her friend group is not all that different. MacLeod poses the question, "Why are humans so willing to sit back as the unthinkable unfolds?"

Joan MacLeod was born and raised in North Vancouver and is a professor at the University of Victoria. She is the recipient of two Chalmers Canadian Play Awards and a Governor General's Award. The Shape of a Girl has been touring and translated into six languages since its premiere five years ago.

Director Shelby Bushell has spent the last two years involved in Theatre for Young Audiences with Axis Theatre and has directed/assisted directed over six productions since graduating with a BFA in Theatre from UBC. She has previously directed two one-woman shows with Brave New Play Rites. Lindsay Curl is producing and performing in The Shape of a Girl as part of her acting apprenticeship at Pacific Theatre. She is a graduate from the UVic BFA Acting Specialization and has had her eye on this play ever since her first year of university. "Living in Victoria for four years, this story always felt very close to home for me", she says, "Reena Virk's death was a horrible reminder of how far bullying can be taken."

ARTISTIC TEAM:

Directed by Shelby Bushell. Featuring Lindsay Curl. Sound Design by Ryan Scramstad. Lighting Design by Kougar Basi. Stage Management by Maddison Silva. Marketing and Communications by Amanda Millar.

DETAILS: The Shape of a Girl by Joan MacLeod

When: April 26-29 at 8:00pm

Where: Pacific Theatre - 1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC

Tickets: At the door - festival seating. "Pay-what-you-think-it's-worth" after the show. Please contact 604-731-5518 or boxoffice@pacifictheatre.org for further information.

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