Play Review: Bang Bang by Kat Sandler

Always a struggle to write a play. Writing a successful play that involves the topics of police brutality as a result of systemic racism, artistic license, and gun violence with a dash of gender equality on one stage is a struggle that goes beyond the usual. Playwright Kat Sandler was up to the challenge. The play Bang, Bang at Belfry Theatre, on Sunday afternoon was a triumph of humour, anger, and frustration culminating in a standing ovation. Bang Bang, presented at the Belfry, played in conjunction with the The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg.

These emotionally charged topics came together in the living room of Karen Hines, played by Warona Setshwaelo, a psychologist and the mother of Lila Hines ~ both of them black. Lila had returned home to live with her mother, when her career as a police officer was derailed following a serious incident when she was on duty. Tim Bernbaum played by Tom Keenan, is a playwright who was inspired to write 'a play' based on this serious incident. Lila definitely does not want to talk about this incident. While doing her job as a police officer, she shot a young black man. Tim arrives, unexpectedly and unwelcome, to talk about his play. An extremely awkward, often hilarious, and circuitous conversation takes place with Tim trying to be politically correct ~ and failing badly ~ about race (Tim is white). He, with this same awkwardness, blurts out that a movie is to be made of his play which details Lila’s experience far too closely for Lila’s liking, except for a couple of important details. Two other characters, involved in the movie, come on scene: Jackie Savage, played by Sébastion Heins; Tony Cappello, played by Alex Poch-Golden. Jackie Savage is a young man who is played the role of Lila ~ the movie company changed the gender to further usurp Lila’s story. Ultimately, there is a hilarious ‘play reading’ of Tim’s play which devolves into frustration, misunderstanding and sadness.

The skill and sensitivity that playwright Kat Sandler had in writing this play, using humour and pain, drove home the sad reality of these issues that are prevalent in our society today. In this writer’s opinion, the characters of Karen (Lila’s mother) and of Tony (Jackie’s bodyguard) were the strengths that balanced the grief, anger and anxiety of the two main characters (Lila, Tim). Lila was in deep pain, Tim only wanted to write a play and make a movie to bring all of the issues into the light. Jackie Savage (to play Lila in the 'play'), was distanced from the actual pain that Lila experienced, often shifting his opinions about the entire dynamic, only concerned with making a movie. Because of the intensity of the subjects involved and the dynamics between the actors, the language was quite blue throughout the play, which may put some people off. To accept this as a very real part of such a situation will allow any playgoer to be treated to a wonderful work of art.

“The quality of a play is the quality of its ideas.”

~ George Bernard Shaw

Bang Bang by Kat Sandler

Sébastien Heins - Jackie Savage

Tom Keenan - Tim Bernbaum

Beverly Ndukwu - Lila Hines

Alex Poch-Goldin - Tony Cappello

Warona Setshwaelo - Karen Hines

Director: Kelly Thornton

Set Designer: Ada, Parboosingh

Costume Designer: Joseph Abetria

Lighting Designer: Scott Henderson

Sound Designer: Brian Linds

Fight Director: Jacqueline Loewen

Firearms Consultant: Dave Brown

Consulting Director: Audrey Dwyer

Apprentice Director: Eric Rae

Stage Manager: Jennifer Swan

Assistant Stage Manager: Zahra Larche