A new production coming to the Refinery in Saskatoon this winter is tackling a difficult and deeply personal chapter of Canadian history. ‘The Boat’, written and produced by local playwright Todd Devonshire, explores bodily autonomy, secrecy, and choice in a time when abortion was illegal in Canada.
“This is my latest play and the second time around producing with Live Five theatre in Saskatoon,” Devonshire said. “I knew a story about a boat set up in international waters, and women would journey out to it as their country did not allows abortion. For any reason. None. When Roe vs Wade was overturned, I started to write this play and set it in Canada in the 1960s.”
Devonshire is no stranger to storytelling, having first entered the writing world through fiction with a novel called “Rink Burgers” before turning to theatre. Once Devonshire got a taste of playwriting, he was immediately hooked. “Hearing those voices from the paper to the stage is such a rush,” he said. “‘The Boat’ is my fifth play and has been, without a doubt, the most controversial one.”
Set in 1964, the play is inspired by real historical circumstances. Set in Canada in 1964 when abortion was illegal, the story begins when two female doctors set up a clinic in a boat 15 miles off the coast of Nova Scotia, in international waters, free from the Canadian laws.
“Three pregnant women, each for their own reasons, will journey out to the boat to try and make a decision without fear and shame. But someone is not telling the truth.”
Although a story about a boat in international waters performing abortions does exist, it did not occur in Canada; however, all the stories depicted in the play are 100% true and took place in Canada.
Devonshire believes the themes explored in the play are as relevant today as they were decades ago. “The 1960s were a time of significant change not only in Canada, but the world. Bodily autonomy was right in the mix of all the cultural challenges,” he said. “When researching this play, I was shocked by the stats, the stories and the struggle to change our ways. Every story, stat and struggle in this play is factual. I hope this resonates with audiences.”
Bringing those stories to the stage came with its own challenges, which Devonshire noted were too lengthy to fully share; however, the main challenge he settled on was the fact that there were so many stories, and the challenge came in deciding which ones to tell.
Ultimately, his hope is that audiences leave the theatre thinking beyond polarized views. “I am old enough to remember when it became legal in 1988. Everyone has strong opinions and default to the black and white opinions whenever someone says: abortion,” he said. “‘The Boat’ wants to draw the issue out of conformed black and white factions and place it into a measure of grey where there can be understanding, conversation and empathy.”
Devonshire also credits the local talent involved in bringing the production to life. “We have an incredible cast and crew working on this show. I think we underestimate how much talent truly exists here and ‘The Boat’ is all the better for it,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to watch the rehearsals and listen to the conversations that come up.”
‘The Boat’ runs from February 26th to March 8th at the Refinery in Saskatoon. “Tickets are on sale now at ontheboards.ca. It is selling well already so get your tickets soon!” Devonshire said.
In addition to the performances, audiences will have opportunities for deeper discussion. “We have two talk back session scheduled that will happen after a show,” Devonshire said. “We will invite audience members to stick around where you can discuss the play with myself and our director, Liz Whitbread. The first one is Saturday February 28th and will be moderated by the University of Saskatchewan Student Union (USSU) and its president, Emma Wintermute. A second date, at time of this, is still being determined.”
