Waiting for the Parade: A Play

Rating:
Summary: Original & absorbing
Review: Set in Calgary during World War II, these 24 scenes follow the experiences of 5 Canadian women who form an uneasy alliance born of loneliness and tumult during an edgy wait for the parade that will herald the end.

There's Catherine, abandoned by her impulsively enlisted husband, Janet, a wartime dynamo conpensating for a secret shame, and Eve, a pacifist school-teacher hard hit by the concept of unquestioning patriotism.

Fatalist Margaret, their senior by 20 years, has one enlisted son and one arrested for protesting. Marta, a German-born Canadian citizen, becomes a target of harassment and suspicion in her own community while her senile, Nazi-sympathizing father idles in prison growing steadily crazier.

This bittersweet drama well exemplifies the isolation & loss of those left behind, against scenes of air raid drills, Red Cross activities, dark merriment & leg-painting parties.

I don't recommend this play merely for reading, as the emotional gravity and singing-rehearsal scenes would not be adequately captured, but it's worthwhile and interesting hour-&-a-half when protrayed by a talented cast.

(There are also a number of affecting monologues--most notably Marta's--suitable for actresses who want something slightly obscure to audition with.)

Rating:
Summary: just a good canadian play!
Review: Waiting for the Parade is an excellent peice of Canadian literature. From an actor's point of view, the characters are believable and it is easy to grow to care for them as the play progresses. It is also an amazing resource for any female looking for good monologues!