A dystopian theatre trilogy

THEATRE | The Philosopher’s Wife Dec. 4 to 16, Daniels Spectrum

The Handmaid’s Tale brought dystopian feminist fiction into the mainstream. Now, Canadian playwright Susanna Fournier is giving the genre a theatrical spin. The Empire trilogy, set in an alternate universe that shares our own imperial, patriarchal history, is a gothic-tinged take on sex and power struggles. Part one, The Philosopher’s Wife, takes over the Daniels Spectrum Aki Studio this month with a darkly humorous tale of a rationalist husband who tries to curb the wild canine impulses of his spouse. Parts two and three open next year.