Lured to San Diego six months ago by the city’s eclectic culture and lifestyle, Canadian playwright Brenda McFarlane insisted on living in Ocean Beach. The people, the culture and especially the annual chili cook-off are all reasons she intends to stay awhile.
McFarlane wrote and directed seven successful plays in her hometown of Toronto. The seventh, “Slut,” is now playing locally at 6th@Penn Theatre, and questions conventional moral codes when it comes to love and romance.
Matilda, played by Susan Hammons, finds herself jailed for being a “slut.” On charges of prostitution, Matilda’s life is examined in a police investigation, forcing her to face the scrutiny of her neighbors, family, friends and lovers. Until the arrest, Matilda had compensated for the lack of a perfect partner. But following the incident, she is compelled to review her choices and reevaluate her stance on the question of gender and morality.
“[Matilda] doesn’t believe in cold, callous sex,” McFarlane said. “But [for Matilda] to love someone who is wrong for you is okay.”
Matilda’s situation poses numerous questions: What defines a slut? When does love begin to eclipse the immorality of promiscuity? And how long should a woman wait for sexual fulfillment if Prince Charming is nowhere in sight? Ultimately, McFarlane’s “Slut” encourages individuals to investigate the fine line drawn between the slut and the sexless.
Susan Hammons, a graduate of San Diego State University’s M.F.A. program in Musical Theatre, has performed in several San Diego plays, including “Ten Percent Revue,” Lamb’s Players’ “Tarantara! Tarantara,” Diversionary’s “Falsettos” and “But Can He Dance” at the Asian American Repertory. Hammons also wrote and performed her own one-woman play, “Contemplating the Bag.”
“Slut” is a one-woman show developed by Far Fetched productions for HBO’s Comedy Workshop and has captured attention in Toronto and Los Angeles. The play was produced at Los Angeles’ Edgefest before being invited to perform a late night show at 6th@Penn.
“This is my most mature play and it has a really strong story [at] heart,” McFarlane noted.
McFarlane said of pulling off a one-woman show, after so much time working with this play, “I still like it!”
McFarlane began her theatre career as a director. Even though she comes from a family of writers, she had not seriously considered writing until she and a group of friends agreed to compile a series of scenes for Toronto’s Fringe Festival. Fortunately for McFarlane, the group failed to fulfill their end of the bargain. Her dedication to theatre was put to the test, and rewarded with success.
“I wrote a couple scenes, people liked them, and I was given many more opportunities,” she said. “So [I thought], I guess I’m a writer.”
McFarlane said her goal with theatre is to be able to grab anyone off the street, even if they’ve never enjoyed a play in their life, and capture their interest.
“Slut” is showing every Friday and Saturday night at 10:30 p.m. at the 6th@Penn Theatre in Hillcrest at 3704 6th Ave. Tickets and reservations are available at www.6thatpenn.com or by calling (619) 688-9210. General Admission is $15, and Seniors/Students/AASD tickets are $12. There are no shows on holiday weekends.