Calgary's Vertigo Theatre is set to breathe new life into a chilling tale of ambition and morality. The gothic horror production, Monstress, opens on January 17, marking its revival after a successful initial run by Edmonton's Northern Light Theatre.
A Modern Take on a Gothic Tale
Written, directed, and designed by Trevor Schmidt, Monstress presents a story familiar yet distinct. It follows a disgraced doctor offered a career-saving opportunity by a powerful, grieving father: to resurrect his daughter, who perished in a riding accident. While the premise echoes Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Schmidt is clear about its unique inspiration.
"Yes this is a Frankenstein story, but Mary Shelley's novel is not referenced in any way," Schmidt states. He draws more from the imagery of classic gothic romance—the woman in flowing robes fleeing through a haunted castle—than from the specific narrative of the iconic novel.
Exploring Morality, Not Monstrosity
Schmidt also distinguishes his work from other recent stories of reanimation, such as the Oscar-winning film Poor Things. "I was working on Monstress before that film came out," he explains. The core of his play is not a discovery of sexuality, but a deep dive into ethical responsibility.
"It's about playing god, and serving oneself, and that is usually the result of cowardice or avarice," Schmidt reveals. The drama unfolds as a psychological thriller, where the doctor uncovers contradictions in the father's account of the accident and begins to see her own reflection in the revived body, blurring the lines between creator and creation.
From Edmonton Success to Calgary Premiere
Having premiered at his own Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton, Schmidt brings the production to Calgary with a mix of hope and theatrical trepidation. He jokes that Calgary audiences might "get out their pitchforks and torches, and chase us back to Edmonton," in a nod to the angry villagers of gothic lore. The play features Julia van Dam in the lead role, photographed for the production by Brianne Jang of BB Collective.
Schmidt is no stranger to cross-provincial success. His holiday tap-dancing play, How Patty and Joanne Won High Gold at the Grand Christmas Cup Winter Dance Competition, enjoyed a double world premiere at both Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary and Northern Light Theatre in Edmonton—a notable achievement for an artist who confesses to disliking both Christmas and tap dancing.
For Calgary theatre-goers seeking a thought-provoking and atmospheric experience, Monstress promises a haunting exploration of human ambition and the heavy price of defying natural law.
