Seeds Planted at Centaur
It is rare that a play takes on the persona of a documentary. Playing now at the Centaur Theater, Seed, portrays one of those David vs. Goliath moments wherein a Saskatchewan farmer takes on the agrochemical giant, Monsanto. Monsanto accused farmer Percy Schmeiser of illegally growing its patented, genetically engineered canola seeds on his farm, while he claimed they were blown in with the wind. The concept explored, of genetically modified organisms, rings very true to this day. Perhaps, even more so.
Seeds was written by Annabel Soutar based on court trial transcripts and interviews with scientists, lawyers, farmers and activistss and she crafted them verbatim into a snapshot of legal wranglings and rural community dynamics. It is cleverly staged with both the actors and props doing multiple duties, i.e. a chemical beaker becoming a coffee cup or a bucket turning into a steering wheel. The screenwriter, who has a large part to play in the play, takes difficult scientific concepts of DNA and makes it simple chemistry for the public. She also makes it humorous.
The star of Seeds is Eric Peterson who is known for his acting in Corner Gas, Street Legal and Billy Bishop Goes to War. Most of the original cast are re-playing their roles quite wonderfully: Cary Lawrence, Mariah Inger, Alex Ivanovici, Bruce Dinsmore, Tanja Jacobs Liisa Repo-Martell (or Christine Beaulieu when she is not available).
This important subject has been turned into riveting theatre. You will leave wondering what you are eating.
Location: Centaur Theatre, 453 St-François-Xavier
corner: Notre-Dame
Tel: 514-288-3161
Dates: until Nov 24th
www.centaurtheatre.com