Martin Yesterday

David E. Kemp, former drama professor at Queen’s University, is the
author of The Pleasures and Treasures of the United Kingdom.

Brad Fraser is an award-winning and internationally known playwright
whose published works include The Wolf Plays, The Ugly Men, and Poor
Superman.

The protagonist of Martin Yesterday is Matt, a gay man in his 30s who
is looking for maturity and commitment in a relationship. When he meets
Martin Yesterday, a middle-aged city councilor, his search appears to be
over. But Martin is withholding some very dark secrets about his private
affairs.

Martin Yesterday is based on a relationship Brad Fraser had with a
well-established older man who represented himself as one thing and
turned out to be something different. We know this because of the
remarkably candid preface in which Fraser charts the development of the
play, from commissioned radio drama to initial production at Theatre
Network in Edmonton.

The subject of wilful deceit as it relates to HIV infection is a
disturbing one. Martin Yesterday has little positive to say about much
of humanity, and it depicts a highly suspect morality. It will satisfy
some and incense others; above all, it will provoke debate.