We appreciate your comments, thoughts, and questions.
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
“Saw HERE: A Captive Odyssey, and was very moved, a couple of times, to tears. It would have been no easy task presenting the subject matter the way you did, but you pulled it off wonderfully. The set, so simple, was beautiful in its simplicity. My husband and I stayed for the Q & A period and I, once again, was so moved by the insights and honesty of the men. I applaud their courage and openness. I always promote WHoS in my social circles and will once again wait, with anticipation, for the next show.”
- Audience Member
“It was clear in the Q&A that the performers had become more open and empathetic as a result of their work. They shared impressive reflections on place, history, culture, and the various themes explored in the production; I appreciated that it engaged honestly and directly with race, criminality, and power more generally. During the question period, someone in the audience explained that the play was not just transforming the performers but was transforming viewers on the outside as well. I completely agree.” - Audience Member
“I feel very privileged to have seen this year's production of "Here - A Captive Odyssey" twice. Each time I was drawn in to the story right from the opening song, with its compelling rhythms and harmony, up to the last scene. Every actor entered into his or her role(s) with conviction and focus. You brought the characters to life and in doing so created an incredibly moving production -- but not without humour. I loved the sheep!” - Audience Member
“Strong and intelligent writing, a production team both sensitive and professional, and performances that were emotional and evocative made the evening entertaining and thought provoking” - Audience Member
“Beyond my body~the song sung by the First Nation’s man still etches its way around my heart and weaves through my spirit! POWERFUL!!!” - Audience Member
“I loved both your humour and your poignancy. You taught me things I did not know about William Head; about adversity; about First Nation peoples; and also about prison life. Throughout the play, you reminded me that the past and the present always co-exist within each of us, and that transformation is always possible.” - Audience Member
“I loved the singing and all the harmonies, and the wee band near the end was so enjoyable. … I really liked the rappers— I thought their piece was very strong— very cool that they wrote that on their own. I also enjoyed the piece with the reading from the newspapers as a way to describe the racing onslaught of smallpox and its devastating effect on the FN community.” - Audience Member
“Congratulations to the "behind the scenes" people who put in so much effort and made the production a success. The time, dedication and practice this must have taken is unimaginable and I truly hope all the actors enjoyed the process of bringing this play to life as much as I enjoyed watching it. Well done cast and crew, I can't wait to see what you do next year!” - Audience Member
“I'm really glad that the audience was given the opportunity to ask the cast members questions and hear your take on the show.”
- Audience Member
“Would highly recommend this to everyone. It just sums up how exploring the arts can affect all - both the audience and those involved in the production. Be sure to stick around for the Q & A after the ending. The cast was so appreciative of the audience for attending and the feelings were mutual. Thanks to all for displaying such a creative process. Well done!!” - Audience Member
“Congratulations on a fantastic show! This was my first time attending, although I have intended to in previous years. I admit that I am not typically a theatre-goer, and my curiosity was largely due to the novelty of attending a show at a federal prison. I was not prepared at all for the calibre of performance that was delivered, and nearly a week later I am still telling everybody I know about just how good it was. I would normally keep one eye on the clock during a play, as I always feel they run a bit too long. It was the exact opposite with your production; I was so engaged the entire show that I didn’t notice the time pass and was genuinely surprised when it came to an end. Thank you sincerely for your hard work, and for allowing me the insight into the past and present of William Head, and each of your lives.” - Audience Member
“Thank you of creating a performance that was inspiring, surprising, caring, joyful, celebratory and engaging. Exactly what theatre should be.” - Audience Member
“I admire your courage for including aspects of your own present experience at William Head, which you did with artistic taste and human dignity. Please know that your work is a positive cultural contribution to our community, just as worthwhile for people on the outside reaching in as I understand it is for people on the inside reaching out.” - Audience Member
“As I imagine it was a therapeutic experience to perform the show, it was therapeutic to witness and be a part of the audience. I was moved by the truth, vulnerability and humanness of the play. The courageous art making of the cast and crew has inspired me in my own creative life.” - Audience Member
Dear cast and crew of "Here":
I have been coming to Whos productions since 1982 when I was first introduced to you by Dr. Barbara McIntyre who was so instrumental in developing the relationship between UVic and William Head. I really enjoyed the show then--and since but felt I had to write and tell you how much I saw of growth in this year's work. And work it was! Really beautifully presented with all the elements of theatre, music, dance and visuals. A great set and costumes and the delicacy, use and accuracy of the slide visuals and animations, the accompanying sound "track" of live voices and instruments, all added to the pleasure of the audience. I was particularly impressed with the ensemble work and the development of the actors' skills both vocally and in terms of characterizations. I also loved the whimsy of the sea monster and the explorers' ships--touches that really moved the audiences into different times and places. Congratulations, everyone. It was fine theatre, good to see so many familiar faces back on stage, and a great way to spend an evening out. Thank you.
Juliana Saxton, professor emeritus, Dept. of Theatre, University of Victoria.
- Audience Member
“It was clear in the Q&A that the performers had become more open and empathetic as a result of their work. They shared impressive reflections on place, history, culture, and the various themes explored in the production; I appreciated that it engaged honestly and directly with race, criminality, and power more generally. During the question period, someone in the audience explained that the play was not just transforming the performers but was transforming viewers on the outside as well. I completely agree.” - Audience Member
“I feel very privileged to have seen this year's production of "Here - A Captive Odyssey" twice. Each time I was drawn in to the story right from the opening song, with its compelling rhythms and harmony, up to the last scene. Every actor entered into his or her role(s) with conviction and focus. You brought the characters to life and in doing so created an incredibly moving production -- but not without humour. I loved the sheep!” - Audience Member
“Strong and intelligent writing, a production team both sensitive and professional, and performances that were emotional and evocative made the evening entertaining and thought provoking” - Audience Member
“Beyond my body~the song sung by the First Nation’s man still etches its way around my heart and weaves through my spirit! POWERFUL!!!” - Audience Member
“I loved both your humour and your poignancy. You taught me things I did not know about William Head; about adversity; about First Nation peoples; and also about prison life. Throughout the play, you reminded me that the past and the present always co-exist within each of us, and that transformation is always possible.” - Audience Member
“I loved the singing and all the harmonies, and the wee band near the end was so enjoyable. … I really liked the rappers— I thought their piece was very strong— very cool that they wrote that on their own. I also enjoyed the piece with the reading from the newspapers as a way to describe the racing onslaught of smallpox and its devastating effect on the FN community.” - Audience Member
“Congratulations to the "behind the scenes" people who put in so much effort and made the production a success. The time, dedication and practice this must have taken is unimaginable and I truly hope all the actors enjoyed the process of bringing this play to life as much as I enjoyed watching it. Well done cast and crew, I can't wait to see what you do next year!” - Audience Member
“I'm really glad that the audience was given the opportunity to ask the cast members questions and hear your take on the show.”
- Audience Member
“Would highly recommend this to everyone. It just sums up how exploring the arts can affect all - both the audience and those involved in the production. Be sure to stick around for the Q & A after the ending. The cast was so appreciative of the audience for attending and the feelings were mutual. Thanks to all for displaying such a creative process. Well done!!” - Audience Member
“Congratulations on a fantastic show! This was my first time attending, although I have intended to in previous years. I admit that I am not typically a theatre-goer, and my curiosity was largely due to the novelty of attending a show at a federal prison. I was not prepared at all for the calibre of performance that was delivered, and nearly a week later I am still telling everybody I know about just how good it was. I would normally keep one eye on the clock during a play, as I always feel they run a bit too long. It was the exact opposite with your production; I was so engaged the entire show that I didn’t notice the time pass and was genuinely surprised when it came to an end. Thank you sincerely for your hard work, and for allowing me the insight into the past and present of William Head, and each of your lives.” - Audience Member
“Thank you of creating a performance that was inspiring, surprising, caring, joyful, celebratory and engaging. Exactly what theatre should be.” - Audience Member
“I admire your courage for including aspects of your own present experience at William Head, which you did with artistic taste and human dignity. Please know that your work is a positive cultural contribution to our community, just as worthwhile for people on the outside reaching in as I understand it is for people on the inside reaching out.” - Audience Member
“As I imagine it was a therapeutic experience to perform the show, it was therapeutic to witness and be a part of the audience. I was moved by the truth, vulnerability and humanness of the play. The courageous art making of the cast and crew has inspired me in my own creative life.” - Audience Member
Dear cast and crew of "Here":
I have been coming to Whos productions since 1982 when I was first introduced to you by Dr. Barbara McIntyre who was so instrumental in developing the relationship between UVic and William Head. I really enjoyed the show then--and since but felt I had to write and tell you how much I saw of growth in this year's work. And work it was! Really beautifully presented with all the elements of theatre, music, dance and visuals. A great set and costumes and the delicacy, use and accuracy of the slide visuals and animations, the accompanying sound "track" of live voices and instruments, all added to the pleasure of the audience. I was particularly impressed with the ensemble work and the development of the actors' skills both vocally and in terms of characterizations. I also loved the whimsy of the sea monster and the explorers' ships--touches that really moved the audiences into different times and places. Congratulations, everyone. It was fine theatre, good to see so many familiar faces back on stage, and a great way to spend an evening out. Thank you.
Juliana Saxton, professor emeritus, Dept. of Theatre, University of Victoria.
