Posted on July 29: Modern hostage drama played out on stage at McMaster

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News of hostages appears daily in media around the world. As reporters examine the reasons people are taken hostage and governments work to rescue their citizens, a different investigation of hostage situations will be happening on the McMaster University campus as part of the McMaster Summer Drama Festival, which runs July 26-31.

In conjunction with performances of Frank McGuinness' Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, the cast, crew, and audience of this edgy modern hostage drama are invited to participate in an open discussion Friday, July 30 at 12 p.m. in Togo Salmon Hall, Rm. 719.

Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, directed by McMaster student Robert Porter, presents an Irishman, an Englishman, and an American trapped in a cell in Lebanon during the Civil War in the late 1980s. They struggle to stay alive and sane by constantly testing one another's wits, faiths, and senses of humour.

Says Porter, “There are so many elements about this unique story that could be discussed  it is not necessarily a political play. The cell they are in could be anywhere. Often, when we hear of hostages we hear mostly about the political reasons, but, in this play, you really get to know these characters through both comic and dramatic moments; they are as flawed and human as the rest of us.” The discussion will be facilitated by noted McMaster professor and peace worker Joanna Santa Barbara.

Someone Who'll Watch Over Me will be performed July 26, 28, and 31 at 9 p.m. at the Refectory patio. An additional performance has been scheduled Saturday, July 31 at 2 p.m. in Chester New Hall, Room 104. Someone contains mature language and emotional subject matter. Audience discretion is advised.

The McMaster Summer Drama Festival, now in its fourteenth year, brings vibrant outdoor theatre to the community of Westdale and the City of Hamilton while giving more than 50 McMaster students the opportunity to express themselves on stage. All performances are on the McMaster campus. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per performance. For more information, visit www.summerdramafestival.com. The Someone lunchtime conversation circle is free.