On Sunday, November 16th, Critical Play Lab Director Biz Nijdam and two Critical Play Fellows set out on an epic, joy-filled adventure to Vancouver Island for Impulse Theatre’s production of asses.masses by Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim.
After the panicked search of multiple inboxes for the e-tickets and a little too much caffeine, the team embarked on their journey across the Salish Sea, ready to take on the important work of helping a herd of unemployed donkeys stage an uprising.
Once in Victoria, the group joined a packed audience for the full 7+ hour live-play experience, taking turns at the controller as the game’s story unfolded on the screen at the front of the theatre. Over eight episodes, we navigated the challenges, devastations, and community devotion of a group of unemployed donkeys made redundant by late capitalism, fighting to get their jobs back.
Community Fellow Noe Escobar at the helm.
Equal parts cheeky, political, and heart-tugging, asses.masses delivered exactly what it promised: a hybrid of Animal Farm, Pokémon, and Final Fantasy with just enough irreverence to keep everyone laughing.
asses.masses co-conveners Milton Lim (left) and Laurel Green (right) address participants.
It was, in true Critical Play fashion, a day of seriousness wrapped in silliness, an unforgettable reminder of the power of play to challenge, connect, and inspire.