Cow. Slob. Pig. How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love? From August 1-11 at the Studio Léonard Beaulne, Ottawa's Breathing Time Productions will approach that very quandary with Neil LaBute's critically acclaimed Fat Pig, which takes an unflinching stab at our public perception of beauty and makes one wonder if love needs society's blessing to be complete.
Director Michèle Lonsdale Smith (Artistic Director of the Lyric Stage Project in Vancouver and director of A Winter Tale – winner of Outstanding Canadian Feature at the 2007 ReelWorld Film Festival) takes the lead with an all-star cast of talented locals, consisting of Corry Burke, Jared Côté, Claudia Jurt, and Dani Kind. In contrast with the new cinematic hit, Hairspray, Lonsdale Smith believes that LaBute's play shows the unfortunate realities of not fitting the status quo.
"I am fascinated by our universal and debilitating fear of being alone, of being ousted from the tribe and, because of this, how easily we oust the 'different' regularly and without conscience, so as not to experience that terrible fate," says Lonsdale Smith.
In Fat Pig, Tom (Côté) surprises even himself when he falls for Helen (Jurt), a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized - and then some. Forced to explain his new relationship to his shallow (although shockingly funny) friends, he finally comes to terms with his own preconceptions of the importance for conventional good looks. Neil LaBute's sharply drawn play not only critiques our slavish adherence to Hollywood ideals of beauty but also boldly questions our own ability to change what we dislike about ourselves.
Founded by local actor and entrepreneur Jurt, owner of A.C.T. and Ottawa casting, the company is dedicated to rejuvenating today's audiences by presenting challenging and thought-provoking works by both new and established artists. And it took quite some dedication for Jurt to play the eponymous character in this particular show.
"When I first decided to do this play, I was already statistically 'overweight' and have since gained close to 50 lbs. to really 'fit the 'role'!" explains Jurt.
