Benevolence, by Fanny Britt

(Translated from Bienveillance)

Gilles Jean, big-time lawyer, returns to his hometown of Benevolence to pursue a troubling case involving the child of an old friend. But with the ghosts of his deceased brothers and father peering over his shoulder, and his mother asking after the state of his soul, homecoming is no easy thing. This pitch-black comedy offers a surreal reflection on our small cowardices and our great contradictions.

Cast Size: 3F/2M

Winner of the Governor-General's Literary Award for Drama. Benevolence premiered at Pacific Theatre in Vancouver in 2022 in a co-production with Ruby Slippers Theatre. Directed by Eric Coates, it was also part of the 2022/23 season at Ottawa’s Great Canadian Theatre Company.

“What a smart play Benevolence is. Ruby Slippers’ production takes on serious ethical issues in a theatrically dynamic way. Crisp rhythmic direction from Diane Brown; the power of the character’s anguish feels almost at times visceral. First rate drama…and it’s funny too!” – Jerry Wasserman, Vancouver Plays

“A fantastical, sometimes paradoxical adult fairy tale.” – Colin Thomas. colinthomas.ca

“It’s a terrific script: funny, provocative, poetic” – Jo Ledingham Theatre Reviews

“Britt’s effervescent world delivered through Brodie’s pristine English translation is pretty mesmerizing… investigates these weighty questions of morality and grief through humour, wit, and razor-sharp writing”
– Intermission Magazine

“Although Benevolence is not set around Christmas, the themes of charity, generosity and goodness make it a perfect dramedy for the whole family.”
– Apartment 613