Divinity Bash/Nine Lives

Ian C. Nelson is the former Assistant Director of Libraries (Collection
Management & Budget) at the University of Saskatchewan and Dramaturge
for the Festival de la Dramaturgie des Prairies.

Bryden MacDonald calls Divinity Bash a “play in three acts for five
men, three women and a hermaphrodite.” It is a challenging piece with
an overall collage effect. It is difficult to follow in the reading of
its kaleidoscopic physical and visual effects, although individual
scenes appear strong and evocative. Indeed, some are quite clever
monologue material.

The lead-up to the end of Act 1 reads rather like the description of a
Cirque du Soleil transition scene. The multi-leveled meanings intended
by the author are suggested self-styled “rants” and dialogue where
Acts 1 and 2 seem satirical and Act 3 smacks of farce. One wishes the
author had taken the advice of one of his characters: “Just try to
collect your thoughts.”

MacDonald’s first play, Whale Riding Weather, was shortlisted for the
1994 Governor General’s Award for drama, received a Jessie award for
the best production in Vancouver in 1992, and was nominated for both the
Chalmers and Dora Awards. MacDonald has been likened variously to
Ionesco, Salvador Dali, Jim Morrison, and Tennessee Williams.