Debt and the Global South on stage
While debt and money seem to be key talking points in the mainstream media and in general public discourse quite frequently these days, there is a type of debt that has gone largely underreported for decades. Not only is the debt developing nations owe to the world’s most prosperous countries and global organizations like the IMF and World Bank staggering, but it gives the creditors the power to basically set the agenda politically and economically in those countries.
The Dictatorship of Debt is a comedic critique of the global debt crisis that involves the spectators in the saga. Audience members are assigned a regional home. Whether they are Canada or sub-Saharan Africa, they are part of the story as the history of the rise of global debt unfolds.
Just as impoverished nations owing money to those with money isn’t a new thing at all, neither is this play. It is in fact a decade-old Montreal tradition and according to many an unforgettable experience.
The Dictatorship of Debt is being staged as a theatre project of The Social Justice Committee, an NGO established in 1975. The SJC hopes to encourage individuals and groups to become actively involved in building a more just global society and pushes for more accountability from the World Bank and IMF. They are also actively involved in pushing for greater regulations of the Canadian mining industry operating in the Global South. They accomplish their goals through education and advocacy.
Theatre has become one of their most effective educational tools, accompanied by videos, online resources and interactive presentations.
A teaser performance of The Dictatorship of Debt will be presented Saturday, April 4th as part of the McGill Drama Festival (3480 McTavish, 3rd floor). The following night, it will be presented as part of a Grand Gala at La Sala Rossa (4848 Boul. St-Laurent, Show at 8pm, doors open at 7:30 pm tickets $4). A talkback performance will take place at the Atwater Library on Thursday, April 9th (1200 Atwater, 8pm tickets: $4).
