Montreal: New Hub of (Anti-)Zombie Theatre?
Having seen some wonderful Zombie material on the stage here in Madison with ‘Z-Town: The Zombie Musical‘ I was interested to hear that Montreal is experiencing something of a Zombie theatre renaissance.. though it doesn’t sound very Zombie Friendly up there:
And then perhaps it is all a sign of the apocalypse. This year’s Fringe has undergone a zombification of sorts. In addition to Zombie Apocalypse: A Love Song, there are two other Montreal companies paying tribute to the critters: Apocalypse Solo, focusing on one man’s struggle to survive in a world eaten by zombies, kicks off Friday at 11:45 p.m. and keeps going until June 23 at the Mainline Theatre; and Zombie Island!, the riveting tale of a badass heroine who hooks up with a fellow to battle bloodthirsty zombies, was launched Wednesday and continues until June 24 at Montreal Improv.
Oh yeah, and Fringe festivities got under way last Sunday on a particularly macabre note as the Grindhouse Crew re-enacted the 1968 cult flick Night of the Living Dead, a full-on zombie experience.
Yeah. None of those other premises sound very ZF at all. What about ‘Zombie Apocalypse: A Love Song’?
Well, it doesn’t sound like ‘Rigamortis: A Zombie Love Story‘, that’s for sure.
Art would appear to be imitating life here when the action begins. Four friends are drinking apprehensively on a rooftop while the world below them is being devoured by zombies with a penchant for punk and hip hop. As they await their fate – to be noshed on by the musical zombies – they reflect on life’s big issues: love and their favourite TV shows. One of their members, Faye (Holly) soon departs for the dark side. Her warbling beau Victor (Dane Stewart) is unsure if he should try to save her or merely get blitzed with his buddies Ben (Matt Lacass) and Liz (Shannon McNally), who seek to rekindle their romance.
Once again, why is it all about the Living people? So many stories set in the ‘Zombie Apocalypse’, you’d think there would be a high Zombie-to-Living character ratio, right? Well. I would, anyway.
Hmm. Maybe the ZRC needs to take a trip up North, spread the good word about Undead Equality in Canada.
Just so long as I don’t have to eat poutine. *shudder*
About The Author
I am a zombee and drummer of “zombie apocalips: a lpve song,” I want say that I wuz treetd in a very dignified and respectful fashion bye all living members of the cast and cru. I am certain that if you come up to Montreal to wach show you wood see dat show is very ZF. I also look fourword to eating the brains of living cru after last show tomorrow (saturdsay) … mmmmm…. brains.
I’m not certain the ZRC can condone eating the brains of the Living crew, Marco; at the very least you should obtain written consent firsthand. But consider: if you eat them, they can’t be your crew on the next play!
Just some friendly advice.