Production of female spies in WWII ends with shows in Regina
A new production that tells the story of the work of female spies during WWII is in Regina.
The show is called ‘The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ and is based on a true story of female spies during the war and their contribution they made, shaping our way of life today.
“Stories about women who have overcome obstacles, story about women, who are, you know, experts at what they do. They were underestimated in the war time. Evelyn Ash in our play is based off of Vera Atkins, who advocated for getting women in the field and for training them as spies,” said Tahirih Vejdani, a cast member in the production.
The show will be happening in Regina at Darke Hall every day up until Remembrance Day.
“We feel the gravity of playing these roles and telling these stories at any point in the year, and especially this point in the year where you can feel the gravity of the decision to go to war, the bravery to go to war, the loss and the grief that is so heavy in the air at this time of year,” said Amanda Trapp, a cast member in the show.
The production consists of seven cast members with three of them being from Saskatchewan, including Vejdani, who is from Regina.
“I’m from Regina. I grew up in Regina. I went to elementary and high school. I graduated from the U of R. I even took private voice lessons here in this building (Darke Hall).”
Vejdani plays the role of Anna Sidiqui who is an expert code breaker and radio operator. The character gets recruited in England and then deployed to France in World War II.
For Trapp, who plays Betty Anderson, the explosions expert, Trapp shares similarities to her character.
“Betty Anderson is very similar to me. She is also from Saskatchewan, which is a fun treat for audiences. She is half crazy like I am. She survived residential school and now finds herself overseas trying to fight for Churchill’s special operations executive as a spy,” explained Trapp.
Trapp said this is the fifth time she has performed in this production as Anderson.
“For a period of a few months, four times before this, I’ve worked on this show and this character. Collectively, I’ve spent a year of time preparing for this in a way,” she said.
The cast and crew have been taking this production on tour across Canada.
“This is our final week of the tour, but we performed in Edmonton, and we went to Vernon B.C. We just finished a fantastic run in Saskatoon at the Pacific Theatre,” said Vejdani.
The show will be held until Nov. 10. Tickets are available on Darke Hall’s website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
'There is no electricity': Canadian travellers in Cuba urge caution in hurricane's wake
Cuba's power grid was knocked out by Hurricane Rafael, which ripped across the country as a Category 3 storm. In western Cuba, it toppled buildings and pushed 50,000 people to find shelter elsewhere. Cubans were already enduring rolling blackouts due to energy shortages.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
'There was no stopping this baby from coming': Woman gives birth while aboard Newfoundland ferry
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
Volkswagen models recalled for airbag safety precaution
Recall notices have been issued for some Volkswagen models from 2006 to 2019 for airbag safety issues.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation
Canadian arrested in Florida for allegedly possessing child sex abuse content
A 25-year-old Canadian man was arrested in Florida last weekend after police say he was caught with child sex abuse content.