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Cultures and Perceptions Clash in Tribes

Everyone is talking, but is anyone really listening? The powerful, award-winning play, Tribes by Nina Raine exposes the emotional impact of language and communication within a wildly eccentric British family.

Playing in the David Spinks Theatre from Oct. 14 through Oct. 18 at 8 pm, with a matinee performance Oct. 18 at 2 pm, audiences are invited to be a fly on the wall in the home of a noisy and oftentimes hilarious tribe.

“This is a coming-of-age story for all the characters,” says director, Richie Wilcox. “It’s a piece about discovery and idea that with listening, comes love.”

Billy’s family functions as a closed clique, who gossip, debate and argue with each other. Deaf since birth, Billy is the only one who truly listens. It is not until he meets Sylvia, a young woman who is becoming deaf herself, that he finally discovers what it means to be heard.

“I saw the play in New York during a travel study in May 2012,” says Doug MacArthur, Drama faculty, who proposed Tribes for this Drama Mainstage season and also plays Billy’s father, Christopher. “I was completely blown away by the play after I left the theatre – it revived my faith in the power of theatre to affect an audience and make them think. I want audiences in Lethbridge to have a similar experience to the one I had.”

The subtleties of language are the focus of the play and also a significant challenge for actors who had to learn their lines and sign language as well.

“Three coaches have helped our actors learn sign language for their roles. They are essentially learning another language for this show and rising to the challenge,” says Wilcox.

“Because this show has relied so much on the support of the deaf community, it’s important that one of the performances be accessible to that community,” he adds. “The Saturday October 18 matinee at 2 pm features a sign-language interpreter throughout the entire show.”

In 2012, Tribes won several awards including the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, New York Drama Critics Circle Award and Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Play.

Tickets are limited, so get yours early at the U of L Box Office, Monday – Friday, 12:30 – 3:30 pm or call (403) 329-2616. Tickets are also available online uleth.ca/tickets. Prices are $18 regular, $13 senior/alumni, and $12 student.