Why We Tortured Him: A Meditation on the Nature of Human Violence by Sky Gilbert is well worth seeing. The acting is superb, the writing powerful, and the journey worthwhile. The play explores why a young couple would torture (sexually, emotionally, and physically) a developmentally challenged young man. By setting the play in Hamilton for a Hamilton audience Gilbert makes the reality of violence immediate. Further, although it explores an extreme case, in many ways, it felt very ordinary. This sense of ordinary violence, in itself, was devastating for me as I watched the play. The use of contrasting bouts of swearing, loud music, and harsh lighting with a quiet sensitivity was extraordinary. The emotional range actors Mark Crawford, Alex Fiddes, and Haley McGee were able to convey was also impressive.

At one point torturer Doug says to torturer Brandy that she is too optimistic, that we are in a depression and that we shouldn’t lie about it. Sky Gilbert tells some difficult truths in this play. You don’t leave the theatre thinking that everything is OK. It is not optimistic. There is no real sense of justice or redemption, and that, in my opinion, is what makes it good. You must leave thinking. You must not lie about the nature of violence even if you don’t know what the truth is.

Details: Why We Tortured Him: A Meditation on the Nature of Human Violence by Sky Gilbert is a Hammertheatre production. Location: 126 James St North. Dates: October 29-November 8. 8:30-9:30pm and Sundays at 2:30. Cost: Tickets are $15 at the door, with pay what you can Sunday matinees. Box office opens 1/2 before the show.