A compelling, emotional recounting of Canadian soldiers who experienced the horrors of war not with rifles but with paint brushes, pencils, and cameras. Solid direction and fine performances sketch a Canadian war history that many of us are unfamiliar with.
What a fascinating and eye-opening experience attending the opening night of Yvette Nolan’s The Art of War at Stratford’s Studio Theatre. I’ve always loved history—especially Canada’s role in both world wars—but I had no idea that Canadian artists actually served alongside soldiers on the front lines.
These were the Canadian War Artists, official military personnel or civilians commissioned by the government to document Canada’s military efforts from World War I through the Korean War. These artists produced paintings, drawings and sculptures depicting emotional and often harrowing depictions of life in the front lines, in hospitals, burnt-out towns or among civilians. Unlike photos, their art captured the deeply felt trauma, camaraderie and terror of combat. Several of their works are preserved in places like the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Other reproductions adorn the walls and windows of the theatre’s foyer. It’s well worth spending some time soaking it all in before heading into the theatre.
Yvette Nolan’s solid and introspective script takes place during World War II and offers a very human, emotional, and reflective perspective on war.
Nick (Josue Laboucane), a young Canadian artist, is dispatched to the front lines not as a soldier, but as a war artist whose mission is to document the experiences of Canadian troops through his paintings. Although Nick wears the army uniform, he is fundamentally different from the other men—his role is to bear witness, to capture both the stark realities of conflict and the humanity of those facing it. The play explores how Nick’s encounters with his friend Newman (Jordin Hall), Magda (Jenna-Lee Hyde), Eva (Julie Lumsden), and Dennis and Matthaeus (Rylan Wilkie) all reshape not just his own understanding but also contribute to shaping Canada’s postwar identity.
Director Keith Barker has assembled a tight, powerhouse ensemble of 5, many playing multiple characters. The near-empty studio stage is used cleverly, maximizing visibility and intimacy while keeping the focus on the performances. Teresa Przybylski’s minimalist set includes only a few essentials: easels, sketchbooks, brushes, a rifle, flanked by a series of eight evocative paintings by real Canadian war artists. Ken Nutt’s abstract projections are used sparingly but effectively to enhance emotion and sense of place. Logan Raju Cracknell’s impressive lighting design effectively immerses us in battlefields and pastoral fields with shocking intensity. At the same time, Adam Campbell’s soundscape of passing planes, whining bombs and ricocheting bullets fully transports us to war-torn Europe. Authentic Canadian war uniforms and 1940s fashions provided by Patricia Reilly add the finishing touches of realism. But it’s the talented and hardworking cast that carries the heart of the show.
As Nick Josue Laboucane delivers a compelling performance as a sensitive and somewhat naïve young soldier thrust into the brutal reality of war. At the outset, he’s not prepared – both emotionally and mentally – for the horrors he’s about to witness. As the play unfolds, he becomes haunted by the trauma of loss, particularly the repeated reliving of a friend’s death. Yet through it all, Nick clings to – and questions – his art, using it as both a coping mechanism and a way of bearing witness. He is forever changed, his work a standing testament to the madness of war.
Jordin Hall is terrific as Newman, Nick’s happy-go-lucky best friend and fellow soldier. He’s just back from patrol, full of charm and good humour, and brings a real warmth to the stage. His scenes with Nick feel natural and heartfelt, offering some much-needed lightness before the darker moments hit. That contrast makes what follows even more affecting.
Jenna-Lee Hyde is brilliant as Russian/Jewish refugee, Magda. Her physicality and dignified, tragic portrayal as a woman who has lost everything is palpable and thoroughly heartbreaking.
Julie Lumsden plays Eva, a lovely cabaret singer sent to entertain Canadian troops who, when questioning Nick about his gruesome portrait of a severed foot, causes him to argue that art isn’t just about beauty: “It needs to make you feel something.”
Rylan Wilke expertly shifts the tone of his scenes playing both German defector Matthaeus and American photographer Dennis. Both characters offer philosophical reasoning for the necessity of bearing witness to war for all to see and understand.
In all, The Art of War is an incredibly moving exploration of the power of art under duress, the emotional and ethical toll of war. Nolan proudly proclaims that artistic expression serves as more than both a memorial and a national testimony. It will always be a beacon to human darkness.
Running time: Approx. 90 minutes with no intermission
The production runs until September 27 at the Studio Theatre, Stratford 34 George St. East, Stratford
For tickets, call the Box Office at 1-800-567-1600 or email www.stratfordfestival.ca
The Stratford Festival presents The Art of War by Yvette Nolan
Directed by Keith Barker
Set Designer – Teresa Przybylski
Costume Designer – Patricia Reilly
Lighting Designer – Logan Raju Cracknell
Sound Designer/Vocal Director – Adam Campbell
Original Artwork – Ken Nutt
Performers: Jordin Hall, Jenna-Lee Hyde, Josue Laboucane, Julie Lumsden, Rylan Wilkie
