We’ve all been taught to be kind to our neighbours — but the season-opening comedy at Persephone Theatre hopes to put that teaching to the test.
Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias follows the story of young Latinx couple Tania and Pablo who move to Washington, DC. An argument with their new, long-tenured neighbours over the fence line between homes turns their burgeoning relationship with those neighbours on its head.
Alexandra Lainfiesta, who plays Tania in the Persephone Theatre production, called the show a “very relatable” political comedy.
“It’s not only relatable because we all have neighbours and people we relate to in terms of how we share space,” she said. “It’s also very relevant in terms of using political statements in clashes … but with humour through it.”
Directed by Persephone Theatre artistic director Heather Cant, the cast of Native Gardens is loaded with local talent in the cast and among the crew.
One of the only non-local performers in the cast (visiting from Vancouver), Lainfiesta said working with this group — particularly a number of other Latinx performers — has been a delight. Local actor Ed Mendez plays Lainfiesta’s on-stage husband, and Yulissa Campos and Lautaro Reyes play a pair of landscapers in the show that Lainfiesta said are a source of great physical comedy.
Lainfiesta lauded the playwright for writing characters that challenged Latinx stereotypes in a way that made for a compelling production.
“It just goes beyond the stereotypes of who we think people are or should be, and I think that’s what makes the show so rich and fun to play in,” she said.
While the show is a comedy at heart, Lainfiesta said they do take on disputes in a variety of ways. Whether wielding language as a weapon or getting a little more physical in their arguments, she said the show explores many (probably familiar) avenues to deal with conflict.
“This play does not shy away from disputes, or taking it into an almost absurdist world with people fighting to get what they want,” she said.
Native Gardens also does not shy away from the more political aspects of this comedy. With clashes over property and ownership at the core of the conflict between the young Latinx couple and their older white neighbours, Lainfiesta said the show does not sacrifice exploring any of its themes for the sake of comedy.
“It will make you laugh, gasp, reflect and have long post-show conversations to dissect the themes explored with humour,” she said. “I think the complex conversations that the neighbours don’t shy away from having … I think it is relatable, for anyone who has neighbours.”
Native Gardens runs at Persephone Theatre until Oct. 6. Tickets can be found online at persephonetheatre.org.
