ED2019 4/5 Reviews ED2019 Theatre Reviews

Deer Woman (Article 11/CanadaHub)

By Jon Stapley | Published on Thursday 15 August 2019

Lila, a proud member of the Indigenous Blackfoot Canadian people, is recording a statement. Her sister has become one of the 1,600 missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada, but, unlike so many grieving family members, skilled huntswoman Lila can do something about it. As Lila records her testimony on video, we see her projected against the canvas walls of her hunting blind, her face enlarged to enhance every tic, every twinge of emotion. She doesn’t cry or weep for her lost sister – she cracks jokes, reminisces, and matter-of-factly states states her intentions. It’s a little long, but Cherish Violet Blood’s masterful performance as Lila keeps us glued to her as events build towards a grimly satisfying conclusion.

CanadaHub @ King’s Hall in association with Summerhall, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Jon Stapley]