The Monument

Valerie Senyk is Director of Theatre Arts, Thorneloe College, Laurentian
University.

This two-character play by Colleen Wagner uses wartime atrocities as a
focal point for its exploration of the human paradox of love and hate.

As the play opens, Stetko, a young man, is sitting in the electric
chair, awaiting execution for his war crimes. He is rescued at the last
moment by Mejra, who offers him his release on condition that he does
what she says for the rest of his life. Stetko’s new freedom means a
different kind of subjection. Mejra’s absolute domination, taunts, and
threats prompt an unfolding of the horrific story of how Stetko raped
and killed several women prisoners. Mejra’s own story and purpose
remain a mystery until the ghastly and wondrous finale.

Right from Stetko’s opening lines, the dialogue is taut, poetic, and
wrenching, “The one I liked best was 17, maybe 18. And pretty. With
watery eyes. Like a doe’s. She was like that.” Mejra counteracts
Stetko’s casual criminality with a combination of words (“You should
look at every woman as if she were your daughter”) and brutality.

Playscripts are usually just the blueprint for performance. In the case
of The Monument, reading the text is in itself a stunning experience.