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Characters filled with Doubt in Theatre North West play

The subject of sexual misconduct by a Catholic priest still resonates throughout the world and Theatre North West is not one to shy away from this controversial subject.
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The subject of sexual misconduct by a Catholic priest still resonates throughout the world and Theatre North West is not one to shy away from this controversial subject.

The theatre will present a play about the contentious subject called Doubt, a Parable runs until Feb. 27.

Heather Redmond, who grew up in Prince George, and one of only four characters in the production returns to the city to portray the somewhat naive character of Sister James,

Other characters include young priest, Father Flynn, who is accused of the misconduct, Sister Aloysius, the head nun and principal of the school and Mrs. Muller, the mother of altar boy, Donald.

The play is set in a fictional church in the Bronx in 1964 where school principal, Sister Aloysius, accuses a priest of misconduct with an altar boy. The priest denies any wrongdoing. After speaking to the student's mother, there is still no real proof and even when the play ends the audience is left in, well, Doubt.

Redmond, not to be confused with her sister Sarah who most-recently appeared in TNW's 2008 A Christmas Carol, is new to Theatre North West and is excited about the experience, she said.

"I come from a Catholic family. Doubt addresses a big topic and that's what makes it such a great show to bring to Prince George. The subject generates conversation and it gets people talking about a subject that, unfortunately, is still very relevant. It's something that is still news worthy, even though the play is set in the '60s and it's half a century later," said Redmond.

Sister James is the most visibly insecure character in the play, and Redmond said this character does not have as many convictions as the other characters.

"She is in doubt," said Redmond. "But it's not quite that simple. Humans are complex."

Sister James' character shows strong religious and professional convictions as she had enough belief to become a nun at a time when being a wife and mother was the expected path taken by young women, said Redmond.

"So there is strength in her, but we see her in a position of being in doubt and in a time of crisis in her career," she added. "She's caught in the middle of a big issue and to firmly land on one side or the other takes enormous strength of character."

Redmond first became interested in theatre in high school and took a Grade 8 drama course at John McInnis. "I really loved it, but I just felt ill before every drama class."

She then took a break until Grade 11 at PGSS where she was in her first show, Bram Stoker's Dracula.

From Prince George secondary school, Redmond went to the University of British Columbia and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in acting and began working right away. Her theatre work in the Lower Mainland includes Bard on the Beach, Carousel Theater and Axis Theatre.

Redmond said her nerves are still present but she doesn't feel ill any more. It's now more a nervous energy, which she has learned to channel into her acting.

"The reputation of this theatre and the support of the Prince George audience has always been very exciting to me, especially since I come from here, and to know that the community I grew up in has turned out to be [lovers of professional theatre] is very intriguing," said Redmond.

The first preview of Doubt, A Parable, takes place tonight at 8 p.m. and for that show all tickets are $17. Weekdays and Sunday tickets are $25 for adults+HST, students and seniors $24+HST. Friday and Saturday adults are $28+HST, students and seniors $26+HST.

Tickets are available at Books and Co., 1685 Third Avenue and phone orders 250-614-0039.