This Halloween, discover a world where an ancient legend is reimagined.
Gateway Theatre is kicking off its 24/25 theatre season with the Touchstone Theatre Production of Yaga, a witty, feminist imagining of the Slavic folk tale of Baba Yaga. For those who don’t know: the mythical Baba Yaga is a villainous female witch who lives alone in the woods, where she lures and eats her victims; grinding their bones in her mortar. But historically the story has been told by men: Yaga is the modern version retold from an empowered woman’s point of view.
Gateway Theatre’s Executive Director Barbara Tomasic is a fan of the thriller-meets-comedy-meets-folk-tale-meets-mystery, which is directed by Roy Surette and runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 2. “I love the humour, and how it takes an old folk tale to address modern questions about witches, women and revenge” Tomasic says. “I also love the way, as an audience member, that you are trying to piece together what is happening as the show moves along. It’s a supernatural who-done-it,” she continues.
The original play is written by Toronto playwright, director, and screenwriter Kat Sandler, whose credits include the CBC series Kim’s Convenience. She’s also the recipient of various awards including the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play for Yaga in 2020, and Best Fiction Podcast at the Austin Film Festival in 2018.
Although Yaga isn’t kid-friendly, Tomasic says. “It’s the perfect way for adults to get into the spooky season. Because it’s a tale about a witch, it launches you right into the Halloween spirit from the top. It’s definitely a show that embraces its darkness, which is a great way for adults to embrace the season, and the design of the show is haunting and sets the mood,” she explains.
Tomasic says Yaga will be appealing to anyone who has an interest in witches and folklore, but also those people who listen to true crime podcasts and murder mystery novels and TV shows. “The design and direction of the show are superb, with the three actors playing many parts and transforming before your eyes,” she says.
Food and drink will be available for purchase including “spooky cocktails” and snacks at the bar, and there’ll be a pierogi dinner during the run of the show on Oct. 30. Oh, and don’t forget your Halloween costume: “Come as your favourite witch, or detective … if you dare,” says Tomasic.
Yaga has been presented to great acclaim across Canada since it was first presented by Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre in 2020. In Oct. 2022, it ran two sold out shows at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre where it was produced by Touchstone Theatre.
If you’re looking for something a bit different this Halloween season, get your tickets soon. “It’s perfect for Halloween – scary, suspenseful, but what sets it apart is how funny and clever it is,” says Tomasic. Yaga will be performed for a live audience on the MainStage Yaga Oct. 24 – Nov. 2, 2024. Run time is approximately 2 hours. For tickets visit www.gatewaytheatre.com/yaga.
