Beowulf in Afghanistan

Show Length: Estimated length 2 hours plus a 20 minute intermission.

Play Synopsis 

Grant Cleary, a Canadian soldier fighting in Afghanistan, is injured in an attack. When knocked unconscious he enters the mythological world of Beowulf in his mind. Here he reunites with his former professor, Louise Flynn, who helps him navigate the hero’s journey as described in the medieval poem Beowulf, so that he can get out of the combat zone alive. 

Many years later, back at his former Canadian University, he is a PhD candidate with a theory on the Beowulf text. Now with two military deployments behind him, he has a different perspective on the stories we tell about war, heroes, and monsters.

In this show you will get to hear some of the Beowulf poem quoted in English translation and also in its original Old English, but no knowledge of the poem’s content or the meaning of Old English is required to understand or enjoy the play. Similarly, you do not need knowledge of Canada's role in Afghanistan, or the military in general, to follow the story.

Who is this suitable for?

This show is suitable for adults, or well-prepared young people 13+. 

An age rating is based on a general idea. You are the best judge of what content is a -good fit for you as an individual. Feel free to contact the box office if this note does not answer your questions.

Content notes

These notes below are offered to you based on the text. Since this production is currently being created, additional notes will be added and more information will be available closer to the performance date. Please check back to these notes before the performance. If you have any questions or would like more information, we encourage you to connect with our Access Manager, Drea (email here, or by phone 613-236-5192 x 235).

The following topics are parts of the show: some are significant and others are only mentioned. 

• Swearing 

• Spoken Old English

• References to an Old English poem titled “Beowulf”

• Military terms and references to military operations in Afghanistan

• Simulated disability (a war wound that results in a permanent limp)

• Descriptions of violence of battle (both in medieval times and in present-day war)

What technical elements does this show include?

• Immersive lighting:

• In Act 1 there are flashes of light directed at the audience twice. 

• In Act 2 the theatre’s audience lights are left on for a period of time at a low level.

• Haze (used throughout the first act).

• Bright lights and shifts in light:

• used throughout the first act, moving from a dark-lit space to a very bright lighting effect. 

• Immersive soundscape:

•  sounds happen behind the audience, and travel throughout the theatre. 

• The sound of an explosion:

• debris reverberating and a helicopter.

• Loud sudden noises:

• sound effects and high-pitched ringing and whistling sounds.

• Strobing flashing lights (at approximately the 20-minute mark a prolonged strobe effect onstage occurs for about 2 minutes). 

The average decibel for Act 1 is 66 db (loud talking), with a max rating of 98 db similar to when a power tool is used. In Act 2 the average decibel rating is 60 db. 

Additional environmental notes: 

• An actor will enter through the audience aisle at the beginning of the Second Act. The house lights in the theatre will remain on at a low level until the actor exits the audience area onto the stage.