reviewvancouver: The Cultch - Every Day She Rose; Shakeela Begum

The Cultch – Part of the Warrior Festival
Every Day She Rose by Andrea Scott, Nick Green

When & Where May 2 – 11, 2025 at 7:30 pm | Vancity Culture Lab, 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver

Directors Cameron Mackenzie, Diane Roberts Production Manager Leigh Kerr Set Designer Monica Emme Costume Designer CS Fergusson-Vaux Lighting Designer Victoria Bell Sound Designer Mary Jane Coomber Projection Designer Candelario Andrade Stage Manager Dek Green

Reviewer Shakeela Begum

Every Day She Rose is an outstanding theatrical experience that brilliantly explores racism, homophobia, privilege, and friendship. Set during Toronto Pride 2016, the play follows roommates Cathy-Ann, a straight Black woman, and Mark, a gay white man, who return from Pride with vastly different reactions to a Black Lives Matter protest. Cathy-Ann strongly identifies with the protestors and views the police presence as a threat, while Mark sees the officers as symbols of safety, particularly in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

Britney Mocca and Jacob Woike deliver compelling performances, effortlessly moving between their characters and the playwrights themselves. Writers Andrea Scott and Nick Green cleverly break the fourth wall, openly confronting their biases and navigating challenging conversations on stage.

The play powerfully demonstrates the immense difficulty we face in acknowledging and confronting our own biases and assumptions. It highlights how deeply conditioned we are by societal narratives, making us perceive symbols - such as uniformed police - as comforting and protective for some, yet oppressive and dangerous for many marginalized communities frequently stereotyped by dominant culture.

Thought-provoking, emotionally charged, and courageously authentic, Every Day She Rose is essential viewing. Don't miss this vital exploration of identity, perception, and privilege.