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November 25, 2011
A new theatre production at the University of Regina is putting Santa on the naughty list. The Eight: Reindeer Monologues is a darkly comic tale set in the North Pole, where eight famous reindeer are debating going on strike after an alleged sexual assault on one of them by Kris Kringle himself.
"I think it looks at Christmas from a different perspective," said Margo Regan, the play's director. She wanted to do something holiday-themed on campus, but wasn't interested in the more common offerings like A Christmas Carol.
The play follows a simple structure. Each of the eight reindeer - Comet, Cupid and company - performs a monologue giving his or her take on the jolly fat man's crime and whether it merits cancelling Christmas. Each has a unique personality, from patriotic leader Dasher to over-sexualized Cupid.
The play was written in 1993 by American playwright Jeff Goode and first appeared onstage in Chicago in 1994. According to Regan, the Regina staging will offer a slightly different take on the play's events.
"Other directors have interpreted it as establishing the assault took place," said Regan. In her version, she has chosen to include some ambiguity as to whether the crime actually occurred. "One way to look at it is there is a certain integrity to the perspective of each reindeer," she said.
Although the subject matter is culturally relevant, Regan was sure to emphasize that it was the humour and the Christmas elements that led her to this particular play rather than any social agenda.
"I've seen enough plays about sexual assault," she said.
The production is a personal project of Regan's, and is not a part of the theatre department's official slate for this year. This means that, unlike many of the productions on campus, the play is being funded primarily by the Theatre Students Association at the U of R.
According to association president Tyler Toppings, putting up the money was a no-brainer. With eight acting parts as well as a designer, a stage manager and a hair and makeup artist, the production will provide valuable practical experience for 11 theatre students - not to mention it will be fun.
"The show is a blast," said Toppings, who is also in actor in the show. He plays Cupid, who he describes as "a very sexual, gay reindeer." That money is even an issue for the department is a frustration for him.
"One of the biggest problems with art is money. I hate it. Money should never be an issue when it comes to art," said Toppings. He is putting his money where his mouth is, having committed to personally taking on any shortfall incurred by the production. Although the budget for the production is small, Toppings expects it to lose money.
"We might be in trouble, but nothing too big," he said. Toppings expects the Theatre Students Association will reimburse him in the future for any expense he incurs.
The Eight: Reindeer Monologues will be presented for the public from Dec. 1 to 3. Entry is by donation, and will go to cover production costs.