Meet Sheep for Wheat

by Amanda Bulman

Absurdist theatre can be a bitch. More specifically the often existentialist subject matter, the break down of traditional forms of narrative, and the frequent use of repetition can be exhausting for audiences. Luckily for locals, Eugene Ionesco’s famous one act The Lesson is in capable hands of Charlottetown’s newest theatre group. 
Sheep for Wheat is a local, grassroots theatre troupe compromised entirely of young, eager, twenty-somethings including Frasier Macullum, Chris Doiron, Kelesy Marie Moore, Ashley Clark, Rob Reddin, and Meghan Blanchard. The Lesson is the group’s second production (Harold Pinter’s “The Dumb Waiter” was the first), and Frasier Macullum, the director of this particular production is excited about performing the classic piece at the Guild in April “We’re going to put our own spin on it, Keith Bagole is going to be providing original musical accompaniment throughout the production, and the opening of the play will be unique and different.” Maccullum is also thrilled that Sheep for Wheat was able to support and involve other artists in the upcoming production, “Our posters were designed by Rebecca Ford, the photography was done by Patrick Callbeck, Keith is doing the music, and Jeremy Larter of Profile PEI is also doing something for me. I think it’s great that we’re able to have complete control over our production, and to be able to work with other artists” 
The Lesson, an hour long one act play written in 1951 by Romanian born Eugene Ionesco, is set entirely in the office and dining room of an aging professor. This,obviously, can be quite challenging for actors as they have no intermission, no changes in scenery or sets, and no real chance to catch their breathe or glance at lines as they wait to go back on stage. Chris Doiron, who plays the aging professor agrees that this can be challenging “It’s an act of endurance, and it’s a test for actors to see if they can captivate an audience for that length of time” 

The Lesson will be playing at the GuildApril 2nd, 3rd, 4th for twelve dollars