{"id":145757,"date":"2018-01-12T03:04:12","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T08:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=145757"},"modified":"2018-01-12T03:04:12","modified_gmt":"2018-01-12T08:04:12","slug":"soulpepper-theatre-company-set-to-stage-its-next-show-after-schultz-allegations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2018\/01\/12\/soulpepper-theatre-company-set-to-stage-its-next-show-after-schultz-allegations\/","title":{"rendered":"Soulpepper Theatre Company set to stage its next show after Schultz allegations"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Behind<\/a>
Behind the scenes of “A Delicate Balance” (Photo by Soulpepper Theatre<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

TORONTO — The show will go on at the Toronto-based Soulpepper Theatre Company.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, just over a week after four actresses filed separate lawsuits against the company and its founding artistic director Albert Schultz, the theatre will start running its next production: American playwright Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning \u201cA Delicate Balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSoulpepper Theatre Company is determined to emerge a stronger organization that serves as a home for art and artists in Toronto,\u201d the company said Thursday evening in a statement signed by dozens of artists.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis past week has deeply shaken our community. We are not naive to the challenges we face. We know there is much for us to reconcile. But we want you to know that hundreds of artists, administrators, staff, creators and supporters believe in this company.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Schultz scandal has posed a conundrum for patrons and artists alike, who must decide whether to support a production at Soulpepper as the company further investigates sexual harassment claims.<\/p>\n

The lawsuits filed by Diana Bentley, Kristin Booth, Patricia Fagan and Hannah Miller allege Schultz groped them, exposed himself, pressed against them, or otherwise behaved inappropriately.<\/p>\n

None of their allegations have been tested in court and neither Schultz nor Soulpepper have filed a statement of defence. Schultz said he will \u201cvigorously defend\u201d himself against the allegations.<\/p>\n

Soulpepper has said it was unaware of any allegations of sexual misconduct against Schultz or anyone else, having conducted investigations into the issue as recently as this past fall.<\/p>\n

Some patrons plan to boycott Soulpepper until it overhauls its board of directors, while others feel more comfortable attending a show now that Schultz has resigned and an upcoming production of \u201cAmadeus\u201d that he was slated to direct has been cancelled. Alan Dilworth is now acting artistic director.<\/p>\n

Requests to speak to Soulpepper and \u201cA Delicate Balance\u201d cast members were declined, but in Thursday’s statement, the company said its \u201ccontinued existence as an organization depends upon those dedicated supporters now more than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want those supporters to know that the artists, staff, and other members of the Soulpepper community are deeply committed. Our intention is foremost to listen, act, and make meaningful change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toronto actor Brendan Wall, who had a nine-year relationship with Soulpepper, said he knows some of the talent in the \u201cA Delicate Balance\u201d and is planning to see the show.<\/p>\n

At the same time, he supports the women who filed the lawsuits and he wants their voices to be at the forefront.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe theatre company has been the home to an enormous amount of talented and creative people, many of whom I call my friends,\u201d said Wall.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the last week and a half I’ve been thinking about the men and women who work every day in the office and have made that place their home. I 100 per cent believe the allegations made by Diana and Kristin and Hannah and Patricia, and I support them 100 per cent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do think there’s a lot of wonderful, creative people in that place and I hope they’re OK right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lisa Wakelam, a theatre enthusiast based in Hamilton, is a longtime Soulpepper subscriber and has tickets to see \u201cA Delicate Balance\u201d on Jan. 20.<\/p>\n

It’s a play she’s been wanting to see for many years but when she first heard of the accusations at Soulpepper, she felt \u201cunease, shock\u201d about attending a production there. But Schultz’s resignation changed her mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving digested everything, we have to support the organization and the artists and I’m glad that they’re proceeding,\u201d Wakelam said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to support everyone as best we can. As a patron, we can only do so much and of course attending is the best way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soulpepper co-founder Ted Dykstra, who isn’t working on \u201cA Delicate Balance,\u201d did not want to be interviewed but told The Canadian Press he’s also glad the show is going ahead.<\/p>\n

And in a recent Facebook post, Simon Fon, the show’s fight director, said he supports the four women behind the lawsuits as well as Dilworth \u201cand the work that lies ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo the artists that are now in production at Soulpepper, do not lose faith in your own creativity and humanity,\u201d Fon wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cSupport each other with the dignity, respect and compassion that I have always witnessed and admired when collaborating with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA Delicate Balance\u201d is about an upper-middle-class family and the drama that ensues when the daughter returns home and friends move in.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn all things — friendship, intimacy, civility — there is a balance that must be carefully maintained to avert disaster,\u201d reads the Soulpepper website’s description of the play.<\/p>\n

Diana Leblanc, a Soulpepper founding member, is directing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiana Leblanc is a very, very, very intelligent woman and I think she’s a passionate theatre artist and I think anything she has to say is worth listening to,\u201d Wall said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m sure it’ll be directed and produced with great sensitivity. I know a lot of the people involved with it and I know they’re going to work very hard to make it an insightful piece of theatre.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wakelam said she expects there might be some tension in the audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re going to be looking around at what other reactions are, like to sort of people-watch and listen in as I’m sitting there,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Past Soulpepper productions of \u201cThe Gigli Concert\u201d and \u201cHosanna\u201d have moved her to tears and she hopes the company will weather the storm, she added.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s just a fantastic organization,\u201d Wakelam said. \u201cI have preached about them for many years, they do a fantastic job. I like their approach to things, the staging. I think it will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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