The Hooves Belonged to the Deer
"The Hooves Belonged to the Deer" began as an audio drama commissioned by the Alberta Queer Calendar Project and went on to have a critically acclaimed world premiere in Toronto. And now, it's returned home to Edmonton!
"The Hooves Belonged to the Deer, a smart and sensual new play by Makram Ayache...is the most excitingly theatrical piece of new writing to premiere in Toronto so far this season" - Kelly J. Nestruck, The Globe and Mail, Critics' Pick.
When Izzy’s family move to a small rural town, the young queer Muslim boy becomes the salvation pet project to the local Pastor Isaac. In his attempt to reconcile his sexuality and faith, Izzy invents an imagined Garden of Eden, where Adam and Hawa’s (Eve in Arabic) relationship is turned upside down by the arrival of Steve, a beautiful, blue eyed, white skinned northerner.
"Epic in its deliverance and its panorama, I experienced the same sort of sharp emotional jabs as when, for the first time, I saw "Angels in America" and "The Inheritance." Ross, Time Square Chronicles
Directed by Peter Hinton-Davis.
Cast:
Brett Dahl - Steve/Jake
Adrian Pavone - Aadam/Reza
Bahareh Yaraghi
- Hawa/Becky
David Ley - Pastor Isaac
Eric Wigston - Will
Makram
Ayache - Izzy
Bringing back the Dora Award nominated set
design is Anahita Dehbonehie
Stage Management by Andrea Handal Rivera
Assistant
Stage Management by Andraya Diogo
Intimacy and
Movement Choreography by Corey Tazmania
Dramaturgy by
Evan Medd
Sound Design by Chris Pereira
Light
Design by Whittyn Jason
Technical
Director/Production Manager Liv Bunge
Associate
Production Manager Tori Morrison
Scenic Carpentry:
Head Carpenter - Hannah Bailey
Carpenter
- Breanna Thomas
Find more information about the show here: https://www.makramayache.com/the-hooves-belonged-to-the-deer
Please note that the play deals with heavy topics which can be disturbing for some viewers. If you would like to get an overview of the content advisories, click the drop down link below. If you would like a more detailed overview of the content advisories, please click on this Audience and Artist Care Document. Please note that the document includes spoilers for the show.
- Colonial, imperial, and religious violence.
- Homophobia, Transphobia, Queerphobia
- Conversations of Miscarriage
- Forward depictions of consensual sex.
- Depictions of self harm.
Promotions
Date Night at the Theatre
Buy one ticket and get the second one free!
- Tuesday, October 24
- Wednesday, October 25
- Tuesday, October 31
- Wednesday, November 1
Queer Celebration Night
Friday, November 3
Celebrate queer theatre and events by purchasing your ticket to "The Hooves Belonged to the Deer" and getting free entry into Evolution Wonderlounge after the show!
Active Listening
November 1 and 3:
Free Active Listening is available during the
entire show and after the show by Emberwood. Emberwood is a local
not-for-profit specializing in eco-therapeutic retreats. Active
Listeners provide a safe(r), quiet, and private space to chat with you
if you are activated by the content of the show.
Oct 27 and Nov 4 (evening)
Free Active Listening is available during
the entire show and after the show by Brooke Leifso, who brings her
lived and learned experience as a queer disabled child and youth care
counselor (2016-2022) with a degree in expressive arts with a
concentration in conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Active
Listeners provide a safe(r), quiet, and private space to chat with you
if you are activated by the content of the show.
