LOUIS RIEL: a comic-strip stage play

A gavel bangs in the dark marking the start of Louis Riel’s trial for treason. The man, equally revered and reviled, is in the docks arguing for his life. Based on Chester Brown’s celebrated graphic novel, which so poignantly illustrates the story of the enigmatic métis hero, RustWerk’s theatrical adaptation pops with the vibrant artistry of the original source, both stark and playful. Riel himself is nothing if not conflicted; troubled by visions and personal discussions with God, he is a gifted leader in a time when defying the dominant society is a treacherous affair. Louis Riel - a comic-strip stage play is at times charged in controversy and irreverent in its depiction of historical figures. Part puppet theatre, part comic-strip, Louis Riel - a comic-strip stage play is a stunning and spirited trek through one of Canada’s most riveting historical periods.