TotoToo Queer Theatre will present one of Brad Fraser’s more controversial plays, Martin Yesterday, at Arts Court Theatre in November. How much of a grumble it may create in the underbelly of the Straight and Queer community remains to be seen since it has been nearly 15 years since the play was last staged.
“The reaction to this show both in Toronto, Manchester and San Francisco showed just how homophobic and frightened the mainstream media, and to some degree, even the gay media, were of a subject that was considered taboo at the time,” Fraser said.
The play follows the story of Matt, a thirty-something comic book artist who begins a relationship with a well-known gay politician, Martin Yesterday. Matt finds himself disillusioned with both Martin and the gay community in general when he discovers not everything is what it appears to be, and that self-hatred and disease are two obstacles even love can't overcome.
“It'll be interesting to see how people react to the question of responsibility of HIV transmission and the other subjects the play explores nearly 15 years later.” Fraser commented recently. “ I know the gay community has grown in this regard. The mainstream media? I'm not so sure.”
TotoToo Queer Theatre has been producing plays since 2007 for Ottawa audiences. The theatre group selects Canadian plays that might not otherwise be produced because of their gay/lesbian themes and focus, but the company has proven to be popular among gay and straight audiences alike.
“This is an important play, especially for today’s audiences since it offers insight into the Queer community and how it has matured since HIV first became a deadly and divisive issue,” said David Ferguson, TotoToo Theatre’s Artistic Director.
“It is entirely significant in light of recent headlines about the RV144 AIDS vaccine showing the first trial evidence of a vaccine that seems able to reduce risk of HIV infection in humans. As we approach a breakthrough in HIV research it is not insignificant to look back at how the infection initially shaped and defined Queer culture and relationships in the 1990s.”
Martin Yesterday runs from November 17th to 20th at Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Avenue. Showtimes are at 8 pm (with a Saturday matinee at 2 pm). Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.tototoo.ca or through the Arts Court Box Office at 613-564-7240.