Globe Theatre, Regina Public Schools address controversy over recent play

The Globe Theatre responds to backlash over 'Little Red Warrior & His Lawyer,' saying it stands by the production. Connor Chan reports.

Regina’s Globe Theatre is responding to controversy over a recent student matinee performance of the play “Little Red Warrior and his Lawyer.”

The response comes after group of Regina students left the May 6 showing of the show partway through, due to the play’s adult themes reportedly taking teachers by surprise.

The section in question included a performer pole dancing in drag.

In a statement to CTV News, Regina Public Schools highlighted its strong multi-year working relationship with the Globe Theatre, saying the production “aligned well” with the students’ curriculum.

“We were informed that the play was rated as 14+, but as the production proceeded, the teachers felt it reached levels of maturity beyond what was disclosed,” the statement said. “Our educators exercised their professional judgement and made the decision to remove their classes from the theatre.”

The division added that it fully supported the decision made by teachers in this case.

“We have been in contact with The Globe Theatre regarding this discrepancy in rating and our concerns, and it is our hope that we can continue our positive working relationship,” the division noted, adding it would never intentionally expose students to inappropriate content.

“Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer” tells the story of an Indigenous man who’s the last of his tribe fighting to take back his people’s land from a developer in court when circumstances force him to move in with his lawyer.

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In a statement to media Friday afternoon, The Globe Theatre defended the production which it described as a “subversive ‘trickster’ comedy featuring important issues about land-back politics,” pushing back against what it described as “gross inaccuracies” circulating on the nature of the show and “online hate and rhetoric” directed towards one of its performers.

“The Globe Theatre is responsible for all programming choices. Not the performers contracted to do their jobs. Any concerns surrounding programming should be solely directed to The Globe Theatre,” the statement read in part.

“The online hate and rhetoric that the artists are now facing is rooted in transphobia and homophobia. We have zero tolerance for hate and discrimination, particularly when targeted at marginalized community members.”

The Globe noted that its staff followed processes in advance of its student matinee, which included calling each school which attended and offering the play’s script for educators to review. All schools involved confirmed the students attending would be in Grade 10 or higher.

According to the Globe, one school chose to cancel the tickets for its Grade 9 group after reading the script.

The theatre said prior to the performance in question, a theatre manager informed the teachers of one school group sitting closest to the stage that a performer would be pole dancing during the show.

“Schools were advised to use discretion when seating students near that section of the theatre,” the statement said.

The play’s description on the Globe’s website contains a disclaimer, warning patrons the production contains “strong language, mature themes, and sexual humour,” in addition to moments of stylized violence.

The Globe ended off its statement by saying it will “continue to ensure” its plays are well understood by any schools attending its student matinees and will require signed waivers from the principals of schools attending the events.

“The Globe Theatre understands that this production may make someone uncomfortable; art can challenge. It can also delight, inform, provoke thought, test assumptions, entertain, and create meaningful conversation. The role of a theatre company is to bring bold, innovative, thoughtful, and playful work to our community,” the statement read.

“Not every piece of art will resonate with every audience member, and that is okay. In this case, the play is using satire to explore themes of cultural history.”

The production was written by Governor General Award-Winning playwright Kevin Loring, who also serves as the artistic director of Indigenous Theatre at Canada’s National Arts Centre.

The production is set to run at the Globe Theatre until May 17.