Let’s Not Beat Each Other to Death

Dance. Pray. Love.

Impossible for the Nova Scotian Stewart Legere to not respond to the killing of a gay rights activist in Halifax in 2012. Deeply shaken, he created a protean piece that begins as a song of sorrow and consolation, and then becomes an indictment against all forms of violence and finally a liberating celebration with a special guest DJ. Banishing the unspeakable.

An actor, musician and singer, the charismatic Stewart Legere ventures wholeheartedly into his work as an artist and gay activist. In this sensitive solo directed by Christian Barry, he conveys and transcends tragedy. An invitation to compassion, a poignant commemoration and a poetic salvo, his frank, perceptive script charms, upsets and, without oversimplifying, plainly exposes the rage dwelling within each one of us. After the oration and the revelations comes the cathartic plunge. Public and performer are connected, bodies rejoice, full with the dance of life. United against barbarity.

Produced by The Accidental Mechanics Group
Created and performed by Stewart Legere
Director and Dramaturge Christian Barry
Video design Nick Bottomley
Costume design Leesa Hamilton

Presented in association with Théâtre ESPACE GO

Premiered at Stages Theatre Festival, Halifax, June 17, 2015