STRIFE - REVIEW OF 2026 PRODUCTION AT TARRAGON THEATRE

Reviewed by James Karas 

Strife represents a welcome voice of Canada’s indigenous people speaking for themselves.

On opening night of the play by Matthew MacKenzie at the Tarragon Theatre, I noticed that everyone involved from the playwright to the entire cast and some of the creative team are listed as belonging to the Cree, Algonquin and Metis indigenous nations.

The impetus of the play is the search by Monique (Teneil Whiskeyjack) for her brother Nathan’s murderers. We learn that he was a university student and a climate activist with a focus on the despoilation caused by Alberta’s Tar Sands. The play proceeds from there to state a long list of issues that the natives have with the treatment they have received at the hands of the colonists that continue to this date.

Monique is an intelligent young woman who works in the oil industry and did not have good relations with her brother. We are not clear about all of  her positions. She does not want her brother’s death to become a rallying point against climate change. She does not want his murder politicized even though his killing was probably a political act.  

The other major character is Eleanor (Valerie Planche), a professor at the local university who gave up her position at Yale University to do research about the treatment of native Canadians, write articles and a book and speak about their issues. Some of the characters in the play object to her presence and I could not figure out the reason for that. Surely someone doing research and writing about the history and conditions of the natives would be considered welcome and essential. 

Jesse Gervais, Teneil Whiskeyjack, Tracey Nepinak and Valerie Planche.

Photo: Jae Yang

Eddy  (Jesse Gervais)  is Monique’s boyfriend. He works in the oil industry as well and is at odds with Monique (and Professor Eleanor) over what is happening and what she is doing. He changes his views     by the end of the play. 

The play includes the character of Great Grey Owl (Tracey Nepinak) and we are told that the owl in native culture is the harbinger of doom or sudden changes and in the play, she is the bringer of wisdom, intelligence and some humour.

Sarah (Grace Lamarche) was Nathan’s girlfriend and Andrea (Michaela Washburn) is Monique’s therapist who is sent by the oil company to help her deal with her grief and decide if she is well enough to return to work.

The play attempts to deal with interpersonal relations among the characters and the state of native people. They are different people with different points of view. It tries to include a great deal in 95 minutes and it is only partially successful. Individual fine performances need time and depth in their interaction with others. The relationship of Monique and Eddy, Eleanor and Sarah and the rest are sketched and the bigger issue of climate activism, the historical and current treatment of and  the condition of native Canadians in the past and present cannot be treated in 95 minutes. There are  no colonists or corporations present and the play ends up being a lengthy editorial or statement against current trends.

The effect of the extraction of oil from the Tar Sands and its terrible effect on the environment, the residential schools and other issues are front and center but they are not focused and no solutions are offered about the ecology or the workers in the oil sands in the limited time available, The author skims over the surface of serious problems that are not susceptible  to easy solutions.

A fascinating and hugely important subject is treated by people who are very close to it. Kudos for the attempt even if it is not entirely successful.
_________________
Strife by Matthew MacKenzie, a Punctuate! Theatre production in association with  Tarragon Theater continues until  April 26, 2026, at the Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, 30 Bridgman Ave. Toronto, Ontario.  www.tarragontheatre.com

James Karas is the Culture Editor of The Greek Press, Toronto