Play takes provocative look at sex tourism

Patricia Cerra expects bells to go off in people’s heads when her character walks onstage in Sage Theatre’s production of Erin Shields’ controversial drama Soliciting Temptation.

“I think some people will squint their eyes and their ears will perk up when I come onstage,” says Cerra, an Edmonton-based actor in Soliciting Temptation, a joint production with Edmonton’s Shadow Theatre.

“My character is of an indeterminate age, but she’s much younger than the man (Matthew Overall), who is already in the room. The lines are meant to be blurred in this play.”

Shields’ play is an uncompromising look at sex tourism, which Cerra defines as “those holidays some people take specifically to have sex in a country where their dollar is worth so much more than at home.”

She’s been to Thailand several times and has seen “what this looks like first-hand.”

“I’ve seen those older men with those very young women. It’s much too common a thing.”

Rather than condemn or pity the girls, Cerra says she always tried to place herself in their shoes.

“I wanted to understand what would bring them to that point because it seems so drastic.”

What she came to realize was that “finances play a huge role.”

“For many of these girls, this is the only income their family can hope for. Their families are depending on them so the girls cease thinking about themselves.”

Cerra knows Thailand isn’t the only country where this exploitation occurs. She says that’s why Shields has set Soliciting Temptation in an unnamed country.

“Statistics show that this form of sexual exploitation occurs all over the world. It’s children, women and youth who are the most vulnerable. They become a commodity and this isn’t specific to one location or one country.”

But Shields does point a finger at the man by making him Canadian.

“She is absolutely specific with the man. He is definitely Canadian, so it makes the play very personal.”

The story takes several major twists and turns, so Cerra won’t reveal much more about her character’s background or motives, but she’s expecting there will be some gasps along the way.

“It’s going to be a very close encounter for the audience and for Matthew and I,” says Cerra.

“The audience is going to be right there in that hotel room with us.”

Shadow Theatre presents Soliciting Temptation from Thursday to March 29 at the Varscona Theatre, 10329 83 Ave.