Coming to the Sid Williams Theatre in October is a gripping true-crime mystery set to the soundtrack of a mother's heartache.
Love Bomb, directed by Ren茅e Iaci, is a musical that will challenge the audience to look closer at a subject that often gets shrouded in silence. The play centres around a mother whose world gets shattered after her daughter goes missing. The story unfolds when the mother finds a YouTube that she believes is a crucial clue to her daughter's whereabouts.
鈥淏asically, through the lyrics of the music, it unfolds where her daughter is,鈥� explains director Rene虂e Iaci.
The play is set in a dingy bar in Prince George. The narritive is driven by original songs written by Meghan Gardiner and composed by musical director Steve Charles. The songs blend genres from country and western to folk punk, and they're all performed live on acoustic and electric guitars.
鈥淚t's not your traditional sing- and-dance musical, but with 10 excellent songs...I鈥檇 describe it as a true-crime mystery with music,鈥� Iaci said.
The play made its debut at Vancouver's Firehall Theatre in 2015, after which is has gotten critical acclaim for not only the score, but for its storytelling element and exploration of sex trafficking. The title of the show refers to a manipulative tactic where one person influences another by showering them with gifts, attention and affection. The approach relies on flattery, verbal seduction and a promise of instant acceptance or companionship. The play was inspired by a personal experience that Iaci had years ago, while her production company Shameless Hussy was working on a high school project.
"A young actress in the production was trafficked by someone she trusted as her boyfriend. This shocking event motivated the company to create a play that would confront the harsh realities of sex trafficking," a release from the theatre says.
The production team 鈥� comprising Iaci and other co-founders and co-artistic directors Deb Pickman and Daune Campbell 鈥� commissioned writer Meghan Gardiner to come up with a musical. Together they did research, drawing insights from a high-profile Vancouver court case going on at the time.
鈥淚t was the first time in B.C. history that someone was convicted of trafficking, which boggles the mind,鈥� says Iaci.
She notes that the gravity of the crime, coupled with a lack of recognition within the Canadian legal system and society at large, is what motivated them to tackle it. In that sense, Love Bomb is not just a play 鈥� it鈥檚 a movement toward greater understanding and prevention.
鈥淲e want it to be an entertaining play, but hopefully through that, you鈥檒l learn something,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a safety lesson or a lecture, but an entertaining piece of theatre.鈥�
Throughout its iterations, the play鈥檚 impact extends beyond the stage, whether by fostering important discussions through post-performance Q&As or through collaborations with local organizations for educational purposes. 鈥淲e鈥檝e worked with numerous organizations over the years, including working really closely with both Salal [Formerly Women Against Violence Against Women] in Vancouver and Violence BC.鈥�
And it continues to leave an impression on audiences, particularly in smaller towns where the play鈥檚 message hits close to home.
鈥淪ome people don鈥檛 believe that this kind of thing is happening in small towns, but often that's exactly where they go to poach the girls and then lure them away to the big city,鈥� says Iaci. 鈥淚n terms of audience response, I鈥檇 say smaller towns are even more appreciative of the show... They鈥檙e more engaged.
鈥淚t's funny, I'm not sure if this show warrants it, but I feel I've been successful with a show when four people have been offended and walked out and we get a standing ovation...that's a sign of a success. But with this show, I really do hope people get swept away in the story and go for the ride.鈥�
The gripping play will be showcased on Tuesday, October 8 in Courtenay as part of the Blue Circle Series presented by the Sid Williams Theatre Society.
Tickets are available now online, by phone or in person at the box office. For additional information about Love Bomb, please visit sidwilliamstheatre.com.
