Inspired by an adult graphic novel by the same name, "Don't Blame the Bedouins" by Rene-Daniel Dubois as presented by the University of Ottawa and directed by Kevin Orr, does succeed in having the look and feel of a graphic novel. The design elements, including great costuming and use of projections on the rear wall, work together to create an absurd yet interesting world where two trains hurtle towards one another on the same track. One is driven by Santa Claus (read: the West), the other by a Nazi soldier (read: the East). Tied to the tracks, is a damsel in distress and at a distance, a sexy German man sets out to save her. Also found wandering in this Australian desert is a strange and lonely but brilliant young student.
The subject matter here is incredibly dense and bizarre but Orr has done an amazing job with the casting; there are a number of talented performers in this show. But I have to be honest, I could not get past the long-winded strange-ass script. It was definitely a play I had to force myself to pay attention to; and even then most of the dialogue washed right over me. I am betting it would have been a lot more interesting in graphic novel form, rather than this odd stage version.
It is clear that the impending crash between the two trains represents the fear of the Cold War: Western consumerism as personified by Santa versus Eastern communism, personified by a Stalin-esque character. But beyond this obvious conflict, I am honestly not sure what this play is about.
Of course it is great material to tackle in university: with a mountain of ideas and complicated themes, it is fodder for academic exploration. But I cannot say that translates into entertaining theatre. Blame short attention spans (the show runs nearly two hours with no intermission) or the inability to engage beyond the surface of things, but I found this show excruciatingly long and would not recommend it be viewed by anyone whose motivation was less than the desire for academic excavation.
Rating: Y
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Don't Blame the Bedouins ran as part of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival at Academic Hall June 5 & 6.
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