A group of twelve female senior students (grades 10 to 12) from Hope Secondary, along with their director, Mr. Polishak (English and Drama teacher), have been working on a topical new play titled “Girls Like That” by British playwright Evan Placey.
“Girls Like That” tells the story of twenty girls who attend private school together in their early years, forging bonds of friendship, strength, and community. When they enter high school together, alliances shift, and when a naked photo of one of the girls appears online, the girls take to the message boards (in social media and in other ways) to shame and ostracize the girl at the centre of the scandal.
Things develop from there, though at its heart, the show is about online behaviour, bullying, and why girls and boys behave the way they do. The play does contain mature themes and there are scenes with strong language. Mature, though not gratuitous.
Through the rehearsal process, the cast of the show has been discussing two key questions: What do we recognize? and Why does this happen?. It is hoped that these questions can form the basis of a post-show discussion with the audience.
This play is not about male-bashing or female-shaming at all, but it asks these groups to look at the ways they are living or perpetuating certain gender-based 'traps' and flawed attitudes.
There will be three showings at 7:30 p.m. at the Hope Secondary stage on May 5, 6 and 7.
For more information on "Girls Like That" by Evan Placey, please see:
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/nov/13/girls-like-that-review-esther-baker-feminism