If We Were Birds

“I thought there was a difference between family and war.”

If We Were Birds is a shocking, uncompromising examination of the horrors of war, giving voice to a woman long ago forced into silence, and placing a spotlight on millions of female victims who have been silenced through violence. Erin Shields’ award-winning play is an unflinching commentary on contemporary war and its aftermath delivered through the lens of Greek Tragedy.

Isabel Dos Santos, Alice Tran, Estelle Richard, Florence Blain Mbaye, Marie Pascale; Set by Jean Brillant and Éric Olivier Lacroix; Costume by Fruzsina Lanyi; Lighting by Nancy Bussières, Photo by Maxime Côté

Marie-Éve Milot, Pascale Contamine; Set by Jean Brillant and Éric Olivier Lacroix; Costume by Fruzsina Lanyi; Lighting by Nancy Bussières, Photo by Maxime Côté

Set by Jean Brillant and Éric Olivier Lacroix; Costume by Fruzsina Lanyi; Lighting by Nancy Bussières, Photo by Maxime Côté

Pascale Contamine, Catherine De Léan; Set by Jean Brillant and Éric Olivier Lacroix; Costume by Fruzsina Lanyi; Lighting by Nancy Bussières, Photo by Maxime Côté

Production History

Directed by Alan Dilworth, If We Were Birds was first produced at the Tarragon Theatre in association with Groundwater Productions under Artistic Director, Richard Rose and General Manager, Camilla Holland.

Tarragon Theatre, Toronto - April 14-May 23, 2010

Imago Theatre, Montreal - Fall, 2013 (dir. Micheline Chevrier)

Théâtre à corps perdus - Fall, 2015 (dir. Genevieve Blais; trans. Maryse Warda)

If We Were Birds has played at many other theatres throughout North America.