Poster for I Love You and it Hurts. Designed by Ali Carroll. Image description: Depicts a hockey goalie mask, a broken cell phone, a wallet with a lock on it, broken glasses, and dentures in a water glass.

I love you and it hurts

Theatre of the Beat has developed three short plays that reflect lived experiences of elder abuse, healthy masculinity, and intimate partner violence in youth relationships, with a focus on how to recognize the subtle early signs of abuse. The topics chosen were identified by our community partners (experts at Assaulted Women’s Helpline and Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region) as topics that need to be immediately addressed.

“be a friend” - by Jessica Moss

The friendships and relationships we forge in our teens and 20s allow us to define ourselves, and survive in a lonely world: but what if those same relationships are steeped in manipulation, lies, and power dynamics? For three interconnected characters, all caught between who they could be and who they’re seen as, subtle forms of abuse can look like a thrilling new kind of love, or the most treasured, oldest friendship. “Be A Friend” is an honest and nuanced look at how young people connect with each other when everyone has roles to play, personas to create, and their true selves to discover; when getting the relationship you need might mean giving up the relationship you depend on.

“Mother” - by Lindsey Middleton

"Mother" explores the dark and desperate realities of financial elder abuse. When a daughter is confronted with personal and financial ruin, her Mother is her last resort. But what is the cost of love? How do we help those we love going through financial and emotional strain? How do we live with and recover from neglect, manipulation and deceit? Can we? After interviewing numerous members of the elderly community who have experienced or witnessed elder abuse in its numerous forms, “Mother” was conceived.

“The Walkover” - By Cedric Martin

"The Walkover" explores contemporary masculinity in the context of a hockey locker room. The play examines the different roles and identities men assume in these spaces and the impact it has on their relationships and communication with others. The production delves into the masks we wear and the barriers we put up to fit into societal norms of masculinity, while also exploring the need for safe spaces for men to discuss their experiences. As one of the last male-only spaces, what can Healthy Masculinity look like?

This project is produced in partnership with our community partners Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region and Assaulted Women’s Helpline of Ontario.

the immersive experience

Immerse yourself in this important and timely piece that gives audience members the chance to rehearse scenarios for real life. Audiences are invited to participate in the story, contributing their own experiences and changing the outcomes of the scenes. By using the Forum Theatre model, audiences will learn skills and resources for how they can make a difference.

Content Advisory: I Love You and it Hurts deals with abuse, assault, and has course language. Not recommended for audiences under the age of 13.

canadian tour 2023

“The Walkover” by Cedric Martin. Photo by: Nicholas Porteous

“Mother” by Lindsey Middleton. Photo by: Nicholas Porteous

“Be a Friend” by Jessica Moss. Photo by: Nicholas Porteous

“The Walkover” by Cedric Martin. Photo by: Nicholas Porteous.

resource guide

To learn about the warning signs of abuse and how you can be an active bystander in your community, check out our free resource guide.

press

rogers tv interview

By: Robert Kubbinga.

canadian mennonite review

By: Barb Draper.

the observer review

By: Leah Gerber.


“How powerful to have a group of individuals of all ages and backgrounds come together to share their thoughts on an emotionally intense and overwhelming scenario. It felt very safe to do that, and to be able to turn the story around was very healing.”

-Audience member

For more information about the show, or for tour bookings email cedric [at] theatreofthebeat.ca


The Creative

Max Cameron Fearon

Director

JESSI ELGOOD

INTIMACY Director

chin palipane

lighting designer/stage manager

Cedric Martin

Playwright

CAMILA FARAH

COSTUME DESIGNER

Lindsey Middleton

Playwright

GORDON HARPER

Set designer

Jessica Moss

Playwright

RIVER OLIVEIRA

SOUND DESIGNER

The CAST

DIEM LAFORTUNE

actor

neta j. rose

actor

lena maripuu

ACTOR

gordon harper

actor

 

production photos

Photography by: Nicholas Porteous.


THANK YOU

Theatre of the Beat is grateful to acknowledge the support of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) for funding this project. With the support of WAGE, our company was able to produce a two-month tour of “I Love You and It Hurts” across Canada in Fall 2023. We performed the show 35 times, bringing it to high schools, universities, community centres, churches, and senior's homes throughout the country.

“Theatre of the Beat” est reconnaissant du soutien de Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada pour le financement de ce projet. Grâce au soutien de Femmes et Égalité des genres Canada, notre compagnie a pu produire une tournée de deux mois de “I Love You and It Hurts” à travers le Canada à l’automne 2023. Nous avons présenté le spectacle 35 fois, dans des écoles secondaires, des universités, des centres communautaires, des églises et des maisons de retraite dans tout le pays.