Drama explores age-old themes of the elderly
Playwriting is in Meg Braem’s blood and she’s only too eager to give a transfusion to young emerging playwrights.
Braem’s 2010 drama Blood: A Scientific Romance was shortlisted for the prestigious Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.
It was Braem’s thesis play when she was studying playwriting at the University of Calgary. After graduating, Braem taught playwriting and drama at the University of Lethbridge and has, for this past year, been the playwright in residence at the University of Alberta.
Her latest play, Flight Risk, will have its premiere Oct. 23 to Nov. 11, courtesy of Lunchbox Theatre.
Set in a seniors’ care home, Flight Risk is the story of two unlikely people who meet at the most opportune time or, as Braem explains, “their constellations arrived and the right person came into each of their lives at the right time.”
Sarah Baker (Kristen Padayas) is a young nursing student assigned to residency at The Ponderosa Pine Lodge where she meets Hank Dunfield (Chris Hunt), a veteran of the Second World War who is about to celebrate his 100th birthday.
“Hank and Sarah are perfect for each other at this point in their lives. She has to change her view of older people and he has to come to terms with his past as a tail gunner during the war.”
The genesis for Flight Risk was the passing of Braem’s father.
“My father was in a hospice. He knew his condition was terminal and he took ownership of his death.
“What upset him most was that the inevitable was taking so long. At the very end, he had a party. It was a beautiful night. He held court, told stories and we drank whisky.”
Her father’s death got Braem thinking about the way people deal with advanced age. She visited seniors’ homes, meeting with staff and residents and realized “there are incredible stories in these homes.
“I understand why it is difficult for so many of the residents. They feel they have lost control of their lives. Everything seems planned and regimented.
“The thing about end of life care is that it’s all about keeping people alive and safe, but not necessarily happy and fulfilled.”
Braem was also interested in writing something about the Second World War.
“I had visited the Nanton Bomber Museum and my husband is a military historian so I wanted to combine a story about a war veteran with this idea of aging.”
Braem talked to Lunchbox Theatre’s artistic director Samantha MacDonald, who offered her a spot in the 2016 Suncor Stage One Festival of New Work. MacDonald participated in the workshop of Flight Risk and is now directing it for its Oct. 23 opening.
Lunchbox is offering free admittance to all veterans and military personnel and is encouraging everyone to bring a non-perishable food item for the Veterans Food Bank.
Tickets are on sale at the theatre box office, by calling 403-265-4292 (extension 0) or by going to tickets. lunchboxtheatre.com