What defines a person?
Is it the past and our accomplishments? Or is it the promise of the future?
Or can the present sustain us?
It’s that series of questions that constitutes much of You Will Remember Me, Gateway Theatre’s first production of 2017 which runs from Feb. 2 - 11 on the MainStage.
It follows a professor, played by Kevin McNulty, who is a social and political force in his community and is suffering from dementia while his family struggles to care for him and redefine their own roles since he’s been their leader for many decades.
“The resonances go much further. For me, it’s a spectacle of minimalism,” said Diane Brown, the play’s director. “And it reflects a kind of humanity that demands your attention and ultimately suggests that life is bigger —it’s poetic, it’s personal.”
Brown added the plot line slips so easily into the reality of dementia with just the right amount and tone of humour to keep from becoming too bleak.
“You just go along for the ride at a nice, easy pace,” she said.
The production — written by Gov. Gen. award winning Quebec playwright François Archambault — played last year to much acclaim from audiences at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, with many people taking Brown aside to tell her that even though they didn’t know anyone with dementia, they related to the story on many emotional levels.
“They appreciated the art, the insight,” she said, “and, of course, the performances.”
At the story’s core is the question of living in the moment — something many battling dementia are reduced to.
“The play poses the question that if your memory and entire identity all faded away and all you had left was the present moment, with no past or future, just a never-ending present moment with no personal or historical context, would life mean anything?” Brown said. “And would that be enough?”
That’s a really poignant question which is beautifully answered, she added.
“There’s also a freedom to letting it all go, too, which the play talks about,” Brown said. “In this case, our lead character is sort of freed from the past and from a lot of things he’s been trying to avoid.”
“But it’s not a sad ending or condition he’s in. But there’s a glimmer of hope in terms of having a lighter load now. And he accepts that the moment is enough and life is still worth it.”
McNulty’s character is a Quebec separatist from way back who enjoys recalling the days of former Partis Quebecois leader Rene Levesque. So, a lot of his past is so antiquated that he starts to realize he’s been living in the past for a long time and hasn’t moved beyond certain events in his life, that includes personal, family tragedy, as well, Brown said.
“So, he has to come to terms with a lot of things while he’s losing his memory. He’s also recalling things he’s been repressing,” she said. “So, this story works in many ways and creates an interesting journey.”
It’s one she is sure will resonate with many who are traveling a similar route with family or a loved one, and even those who have distanced knowledge of similar situations through friends and acquaintances.
“Dementia and Alzheimer’s is a very timely topic,” Brown said. “A lot of us have parents or know people who are going through this. But even if you don’t have and personal experience with this, you know someone who is dealing with it and it’s a tricky and heart-breaking reality.”
And Archambault manages to intertwine it with social and personal issues.
“Francois is known for his social commentary, as well as his efficient and acidic humour,” Brown said. “But it’s all based in humanity that is really quite overwhelming.
“He provokes hilarity and unease, but at the end of the day he’s a master of social satire and moving, deep drama. And somehow, he manages to get it all into this play.”
Brown added that she considers it to be his most mature work to date.
You Will Remember Me plays at Gateway Theatre’s MainStage Feb. 2 – 11. For more information, visit online at GatewayTheatre.com.
