Victoria theatre cancels play due to tensions over Israel-Hamas conflict
Belfry Theatre has dropped The Runner from its schedule
Tensions connected to the Israel-Hamas war have prompted a British Columbia theatre company to cancel the scheduled run of a play set in the region.
Victoria's Belfry Theatre says in a statement the timing isn't right to stage The Runner by Canadian writer and actor Christopher Morris and it could "further tensions'' in the community.
Morris's one-person play, which had been scheduled as part of a festival in March, explores the reactions to an Israeli rescue volunteer's decision to save a Palestinian woman accused of violence against a soldier from Israel.
The theatre says it booked the play last year to present a contemporary work that could generate dialogue, but after a period of difficult consideration the production has been cancelled.
"The Belfry Theatre presents contemporary work, with ideas that often generate dialogue,'' said the statement.
"That is why, a year ago, we decided to bring the much-acclaimed play, The Runner, to Victoria. However, we believe that presenting The Runner at this particular time does not ensure the well-being of all segments of our community.''
The theatre received duelling petitions in recent weeks, alternately calling for the play's cancellation and performance at The Belfry, which was spray-painted with "Free Palestine'' graffiti last month.
"Given the current conflict in the Middle East, this is not the time for a play which may further tensions among our community,'' said the statement.
"We will therefore not be presenting 'The Runner' during the 2024 SPARK Festival. This has not been an easy decision, and we are grateful to our community for sharing various perspectives which added to our understanding.''
Belfry officials were not immediately available for further comment Wednesday.
In a statement, Morris said while he was disappointed by the cancellation, he empathizes with the theatre's challenging situation.
"I am saddened that people in Victoria — especially those with very divergent views and those traumatized by the atrocities in Israel and Gaza — will be denied the opportunity to come together in a theatre to explore their common humanity, share their grief and perhaps discover a flicker of solace and hope," he said.
Morris adds he hopes Canadian politicians will do what they can to stop ongoing violence in the region.
"I hope theatre companies and playwrights do all they can to give audiences the opportunity for dialogue and to build bridges between our silos," he said.
"I believe The Runner is an excellent opportunity for those things to happen."
The play is expected to run at Vancouver's PuSh Festival from Jan. 24 to 26.
With files from All Points West