This spring, Alberta Theatre Projects (ATP) invites you to take a walk on the wild side with a very different kind of comedy.
Racy, smart, and ferociously funny – WILDWOMAN explodes onto the Martha Cohen Theatre stage from April 21 – May 10. Full of twists, turns and gasp-out-loud moments, WILDWOMAN features a stage full of characters all vying for power, love, and even their very survival.
Newly arrived in France, Queen-to-be Catherine de Medici must contend with her unruly husband, a scheming lady-in-waiting, and the King’s power-hungry mistress, as she struggles to give the kingdom what it needs most: an heir. But it’s Pete, the King’s pet wildman, a caged oddity kept for amusement, who has the most surprising impact on their lives. His friendly and feral presence gradually awakens Catherine’s own wild side, and once she unleashes it, no one is safe from her vengeful wrath.
Based on the shocking true story that inspired Beauty and the Beast, WILDWOMAN is a viciously bold and sexy comedy about what happens when we let the monster out.
BUT – don’t let mention of Beauty and the Beast fool you. WILDWOMAN is for adult eyes only, recommended for ages 16+ and featuring mature content, strong language and sexual situations.
Here are 6 things to help you prepare for when WILDWOMAN is unleashed!
1. The story behind the story
"Okay, so… this is a true story. Mostly.”
This is how WILDWOMAN playwright Kat Sandler begins her program notes for the Soulpepper Theatre production.
And it is. The “wildman” in WILDWOMAN (named Pete), whose arrival creates ripples of impact throughout the story, is based on a real person who lived in 16th-century France –– and whose eventual marriage was the alleged inspiration for Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve’s fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast.
Pedro González was born with the rare condition, “hypertrichosis” (formed by the Greek roots for hyper-, ʽexcessʼ; trikhos, hair and -osis, ‘condition’), and in his adulthood, was given to Henry II of France for his collection of “pets.” González was given a Latin name (Petrus Gonsalvus), an education and a position at court, and was then married off to Queen Catherine de Medici’s lady-in-waiting to see if the union might produce children with the same condition as their father. The couple had seven children, who went on to be (as their father had once been) bought and traded by other nobles.
As Sandler so aptly puts it: “You can’t make this sh*t up.”
2. For real?
All of WILDWOMAN’s characters are based on real-life figures from the 16th century French court: Catherine de Medici, who became Queen of France (Catherine or Cathy in the play); Henry II, who became King of France after his older brother’s and father’s deaths; Pedro González/Petrus Gonsalvus (Pete in the play), the “wildman” acquired for Henry II to add to his collection of caged oddities; Lady Diane de Poitiers (Didi in the play), Henry’s advisor and mistress; and Catherine Gonsalvus (Kitty in the play), believed to be Catherine de’ Medici’s lady-in-waiting.
3. This ain’t no stuffy period piece
It’s 1533. But it doesn’t feel like it.
In the Toronto Star review of the Soulpepper production, reviewer Glenn Sumi wrote, “There’s enough story and colourful, real-life characters to power a couple of seasons of a prestige TV costume drama.”
But it doesn’t exactly feel like a costume drama.
WILDWOMAN takes its place amongst the pantheon of successful television shows, films and musicals set in historical times, but with a distinctly modern edge. It takes place in 16th-century France, but both the dialogue and tone feel far more at home in the 2020s.
The Toronto Star’s review points out WILDWOMAN has a “contemporary tone” and that Sandler’s dialogue is “lively and fast-moving.” Intermission Magazine called the script “a fast-paced whirlwind that sucks you into its strange world and doesn’t let you go,” and notes that the “text masterfully teeters the line between modern and classical… [its] use of slang and contemporary references never feels distracting and rather elevates the impact of the fiery piece.”
4. The Mind Behind the Wild
Kat Sandler is a Toronto-based Canadian playwright and director, and a graduate of Queen’s University Drama Program. She has written acclaimed works such as Yaga, The Party / The Candidate, BANG BANG, and the critically acclaimed and Dora Mavor Moore Award-winning Mustard. She has also written for television, film, and podcasts.
AND –– it was recently announced that Sandler’s Yaga (a darkly comedic retelling of the myth of Baba Yaga), will be adapted into a Crave TV series featuring Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix), Noah Reid (Schitt’s Creek), and Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry).
5. A Most Playful Set
The golden pillars that are part of Narda McCarroll’s set design are incredibly striking when seen at a distance. But get in a little closer, and things get… interesting. These wooden pillars have over a thousand children’s toys adhered to them. Dolls, action figures, horsies, train cars, pool noodle pieces – you name it. The pillars-with-toys were then painted in an iron-black colour, followed by an elegant gold dry brush finish. The result is stunning, textured, and multi-dimensional – with the child’s toys tying in strongly with themes from the play. Will you spot your favourite childhood toy?
6. Familiar Faces
This co-production between ATP and Gateway Theatre (Richmond, BC) features Calgary actors N Girgis (playing Didi) and Connor Suart (playing Pete). Girgis has been a mainstay on the Martha Cohen Theatre stage, most recently featuring in Charlotte’s Web as Templeton and The Black Bonspiel of Wullie MacCrimmon as O. Cloutie – while WILDWOMAN marks Suart’s ATP debut! (Though you may have spotted him onstage in town in recent seasons at Theatre Calgary or The Shakespeare Company.)
BONUS: Preshow playlist
In a recent interview with Stir Arts & Culture (Vancouver), Synthia Yusuf (the actor who will be playing Catherine) noted that if the character had a playlist, it would be filled with Lady Gaga’s latest album, Mayhem. (Sounds like some great preshow listening before heading to the theatre to see WILDWOMAN!)
WILDWOMAN runs from April 21 – May 10 at Alberta Theatre Projects in the Martha Cohen Theatre (at Werklund Centre). Free the beast – get your tickets at albertatheatreprojects.com or 403-294-7402 today. Recommended for ages 16+ and featuring mature content, strong language and sexual situations.
Header image: Synthia Yusuf in a promotional photoshoot for WILDWOMAN. Photo by David Cooper.