Und

Und by Howard Barker, directed by Chelsea Dab (Directing 2, Montreal, QC).

• Presented at the André-Pagé Studio of the Saint-Denis Campus
• In English
• From December 8 to December 11, 2021

Chelsea Dab (Directing 2, Montreal, QC)

Every so often we encounter something that makes us want to go running in the opposite direction. And yet a mysterious and instinctive, unrelenting attraction continues to draw us toward this fearful thing. In my case, the object of this magnetism was Und. Despite my terror and awe of this text — and with the encouragement from one ever-supportive mentor — I took the leap to bring this character and her uncanny world into existence.

This play often seemed impenetrable, but when I released my need to immediately understand it, the words washed over me like a wave, and I found that Und’s fragmented psyche was one I recognized intimately. Her pride, love of beauty, sense of humour, and intuition echo through my grandmother, my mother, and myself. She is also wholly herself, not a version of others or a number in millions, and sometimes wholly unrecognizable. With Und, Barker asks us to witness a character on the precipice of the unknown and the inevitable, with all her flaws, dignity, and humanity.

I’m deeply thankful to the entire team, whose enthusiasm, artistry, and intelligence contributed to unearthing the complexities of this piece. I am particularly grateful to Martha and to Sarah, whose rigour and dedication to the story and its central character kept me going every single day.

– Chelsea Dab, Director

(Photo by Maxime Côté)