Helly Chester
(plays Susanne, the eldest daughter)
The topic is current and important…So many dramatic conflicts in Living Will; direct conflict between family desires and the medical profession, inner conflicts of family members struggling to make moral decisions they can live with ... So much is going on that's political and personal to everyone.
PRESS HISTORY
Living Will receives its premier at the 2018 Toronto Fringe so has no press history. Here are quotations from some of our company:
Q: What inspired you to work
on this play?
Jess Abramovitch
(plays Simone Hart, Ethicist)
I read this script it really struck a chord. I was initially called in to read for the role of Mollie and I really related to her sort of denial of not wanting to discuss “morbid” things or to just prefer to not think about the fact that her parent is aging and that these important things need to be discussed. Now cast as Simone, it’s a really interesting part to play because it makes me think about things from so many different perspectives.
Director Jillian Rees-Brown
The beautifully written script, and I relate to the subject matter. Currently my own family caring for an aging parent. This play also highlights how difficult decisions can be even when a Living Will is in effect. The story is very moving and informative too. The wonderfully talented people that are interested in working on this project are inspiring. I am awed with the calibre of people involved.
Andrea Davis
(plays Annie, the middle daughter)
I wanted to be involved in this production because the subject matter is very close to my heart right now. Living Will is a beautifully written play and I love the role of Annie. I think this play will resonate with a lot of people. In fact, just this evening I spent time talking with 2 people who are dealing with ageing family members with dementia. Living Will shows the many different facets of what family members who are dealing with dementia go through, and how “what’s best” is often in the eyes of the beholder. I hope that this show will help people see that being open-minded, flexible and compassionate can sometimes help more than any opinion or decision.
Peter Nelson
(plays Jake, the eldest son)
Quite simply, it is something that is personal to me on several levels. It is an important conversation to have.
Jill Niedoba
(plays Dr. Dyer, the psychiatrist)
This is a very delicate subject that is going to affect a large sum of people very soon, if it hasn’t already. The conversation is only getting larger and more complicated…I wanted to be involved with this project because the subject matter has been something I have been hit with recently with my partner’s parents…They have outlived all of their friends, one is in constant pain, the other’s mind is slowly fading. It’s a horrible thing to witness. I think it’s a conversation worth having, and I believe this play has a lot to say.
Asha Vijayasingham
(plays Mollie, the youngest daughter)
I’m drawn to family dramas and this play shows a family moving though a very difficult time in a compelling way.
SEE YOU AT THE THEATRE!
