On a Surrey stage this Saturday night (Feb. 15), in a touring solo show inspired by the #MeToo movement, Melanie Teichroeb promises "lots of strong language and mature content" aimed at a 16-and-older crowd.
Surrey Civic Theatres presents Shield Maiden, described as funny, sexy, fierce and unapologetic, at the intimate Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall starting at 8 p.m.
Travel back in time to a 10th-century Viking TedTalk, where badass warrior Ingrid Larsdöttir comedically endeavours to engage new recruits and inadvertently reveals her own tragic and violent personal history.
"Watching this warrior struggle with her trauma is unsettling," says a post on shieldmaidenplay.com. "Witnessing her tap into her inner strength is inspiring. Ingrid’s clarion call for equality and new recruits wins! She empowers women to reclaim the warrior archetype in a substantive way."
A 90-second trailer is posted on the Shield Maiden website.
"This show challenges historical biases and gendered expectations about women and is based on a real historical character who history gas-lit the hell out of."
In a post-show Q&A, Teichroeb will talk about Shield Maiden and its subject matter. Tickets start at $29 on tickets.surrey.ca, or call 604-501-5566.
Following a B.C. tour this month, Shield Maiden will be performed in London, England on International Women's Day, March 8.
In Surrey, February is packed with several plays starting with Pivot Theatre's Mothers and Sons, which continues at Newton Cultural Centre from Feb. 14-16.
Also this month is a staged reading of the comedy Renovations for Six by Surrey's Naked Stage company, Feb. 21-23 at Newton Cultural Centre. The Simon Challenger-directed script sees hell break loose at a dinner party when secrets are revealed and cultures clash. Tickets are $22 on nspsociety.com. As with all Naked Stage shows, there are no sets and no props, "just great acting," the website notes.
February ends with a 12-performance run of Ring of Fire at Surrey Arts Centre's 400-seat Main Stage, starting Wednesday, Feb. 26. As the title suggests, the Arts Club on Tour production brings a theatrical concert based on the life of country-music icon Johnny Cash. For details visit tickets.surrey.ca or call 604-501-5566.
