Redbone Coonhound is a Canadian play that tackles complex themes of race, identity, and belonging in modern-day society. Written by Amy Lee Lavoie and Omari Newton, and directed by Micheline Chevrier with Kwaku Okyere, the Tarragon is partnering with Montreal’s Imago Theatre on this rolling premiere of an Arts Club Silver Commission.
The play explores the story of Mike, a young black man who is trying to navigate his way through life, confronted by a host of complex issues, including police brutality, institutional racism, and the weight of history.
One of the standout features of the play is the way in which it uses humor to address weighty subject matter. The play is able to find light moments even in the darkest situations, which adds an extra layer of nuance to the play’s exploration of race and identity.
Another key strength of the play is the acting, with each member of the cast bringing a unique and compelling presence to the stage. Each actor delivers a nuanced and powerful performance that adds to the overall impact of the play. The lead actor gives a standout performance, bringing a real sense of depth and nuance to the character of Mike, though it was difficult to relate to him as being vulnerable, seeing how his behaviour often illicited the negative response from the people in his life.
While Redbone Coonhound is a powerful and thought-provoking play, it does have some weaknesses. Some critics have noted that the play can be quite heavy-handed in its approach to race and identity, and that it tries to say too much all at once. There is a sense that the play struggles to balance its different themes and ideas, which can make it feel slightly uneven at times. There were scenes that could have been shortened or cut all together without impacting the overall story and character development. Additionally, some have criticized the play’s ending, which they feel is too abrupt and doesn’t provide a satisfying resolution to the story – though perhaps that’s the point. That a resolution can’t be met.
Overall, Redbone Coonhound is a powerful exploration of important issues that are still relevant today, and it is able to find moments of lightness and humor even in the darkest of situations. While the play does have its flaws, it is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about race and identity in Canada, and beyond, and is a testament to the power of theatre to spark important conversations and inspire change.
An advance reading of the audience guide will also help add to the overall experience of the play: https://www.tarragontheatre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Redbone-Coonhound-Resource-Guide-3.pdf
Feature image: Kwesi Ameyaw, Jesse Dwyer, Christopher Allen and Lucinda Davis – Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
Insert image: Chala Hunter and Christopher Allen in Redbone Coonhound – Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
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