Tough play brings dark side to light

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The story of Lewis and Hugh will touch, and possibly disturb, the spirit of those who see the play.

Lewis and Hugh, the theatrical debut of Calgary-area playrights and performers 4Roadz Artist. It is the story of two young Blackfoot men who have moved off the Blood and Pikuni reserves and into Calgary. They meet while auditioning for a movie and soon form a close friendship despite the fact that they come from different backgrounds.

Hugh, played by Troy Emery Twigg, is gay while Lewis, played by Karl Melting Tallow, is not. Much of the story revolves around the adjustments they have to make to life off the reserve and to each other. The story deals head-on with the problems that face a gay man in both reserve and off-reserve communities.

Although Hugh can be eccentric (he celebrates Columbus Day complete with party hats, cake and wine), he is not portrayed as the ultra-feminine, campy gay man who flitters across most stages and screens. He is a world-wise and loving human being while Lewis is a little naive. Lewis' naivete proves fatal when he contracts AIDS after a wild night of uninhibited and unprotected sex with a girl he picks up in a nightclub.

The lack of knowledge about the virus, especially in the Native community, is depicted by emotional performances of both actors. In one charged scene, Lewis vents his fear and anger by striking out at Hugh and says that only people like him are supposed to get AIDS.

Lewis and Hugh is definitely not what many people have come to believe Native life to be like. It is a modern view of a mostly hidden side of Aboriginal life. The play is a face-slapping wake up call to people who still believe that Native people are all about bingo and bannock

Much of the action takes place on a small set, containing a bookcase, two chairs and a coffee table, but it's more than enough space for Twigg and Melting Tallow.

The play, written by the two performers, is based on situations that are familiar to both actors.

Melting Tallow and Twigg created 4Roadz Artists to provide an alternative to what they call traditional Native theatre and typecasting of Native people in mainstream theatre and movies.

"I want to get into acting but I don't want to fall off a horse when a cowboy shoots me," Melting Tallow said. He added that he praises Native theatre groups that produce plays based on Native history and legends to create awareness of Native culture, "but what Troy and I want, is to break away from that even more and take a step further.

"We want to start telling different stories. They're still stories with a Native component but stories in the `90s."

The play was presented in conjunction with the Native Awareness Week at the Pumphouse Theatre. 4 Roadz is contemplating taking it on the road to reserves, not only to entertain, but also to perhaps raise the awareness of the people of how issues affecting the rest of the world affect them.