The Globe Theatre in Regina is staging a new production that uses irreverence and humor to address the serious issue of Indigenous land rights. 'Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer,' a courtroom comedy written and directed by Kevin Loring, runs until May 17.
A Trickster Tale for the Stage
Loring, a member of the Lytton First Nation in British Columbia, drew on his Nlaka’pamux culture to create this trickster land claims fable. The play follows Red, the last remaining member of his First Nation, as he fights against a condo development on his ancestral land. The trickster figure, Coyote, transforms into a white man to tell the story of colonization, adding a layer of chaos and mischief to the narrative.
Loring developed the play over 25 years ago while in theatre school, and it is now debuting on main stages across Canada. He notes that the themes have become even more relevant as Canada continues to grapple with pipeline construction and resource development on Indigenous lands.
Humor as Survival Technique
Loring, who is also the founding artistic director of Indigenous Theatre at the National Arts Centre of Canada, emphasizes that humor is deeply ingrained in his culture as a survival technique. 'It's the kind of show where nobody really walks away unscathed, and there's a lot of fun to be had,' he said.
The production features a map of the fictional Little Red Warrior First Nation painted on the Globe’s stage floor, a constant reminder of what is at stake for Red. The theatre-in-the-round setup adds a unique staging element for Regina’s performances.
Irreverence and Uncertainty
The play maintains an air of irreverence throughout. In one scene, Red’s court-appointed lawyer, Larry, informs him that he is charged with assault, battery, and trespassing. Red retorts, 'Trespassing? They’re on my land.'
Luisa Jojic, who plays Larry’s wife Desdemona, has been with the production since 2019. She notes that the trickster element creates uncertainty for all characters. 'The carpet can be taken out from under your feet at any moment. Any of the characters can experience this, and in this play, all of the characters do,' Jojic said.
The cast includes Braiden Houle as Red and Shekhar Paleja as Larry, with rehearsals captured in photos by Kayle Neis of the Regina Leader-Post.
For more information, visit the Globe Theatre website or subscribe to the Regina Leader-Post's Afternoon Headlines newsletter for daily updates.
