Dionysus in Stony Mountain

The first time I ever heard of Friedrich Nietzsche, the 19^th century German philosopher, was last Tuesday. And frankly, I was completely lost.

My journalism class all went to watch the play Dionysus in Stony Mountain, written by Steven Ratzlaff, directed by Bill Kerr, and presented by Theatre Projects Manitoba.

The play was performed at the Rachel Browne Theatre, located in the Crocus Building in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, from March 29 till April 8. It was nice to be back in the Crocus Building, having worked in the same building years ago, I missed the old wooden stairways and the Pita Pit on the first floor.

But back to the play…

Dionysus in Stony Mountain began as a one-person act at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival in 2009. Now a two-hour long production, with three characters played by a two-person cast, it is Ratzlaff’s first full-length play.

The first half of the play is about the relationship between inmate and patient James (played by Ross McMillan), and prison psychiatrist Heidi (played by Sarah Constible).

James’ parole hearing is coming up shortly and despite recommendations from Heidi, he has gone off his treatments of lithium. In this particular psychiatry session James rambles on about the beliefs of Nietzsche, at some points reciting some of his work. James at one point calls out Heidi, and the two make a pact that Heidi will no longer practice psychiatry if James gets released on parole.

The many rants by James about Nietzche’s work were very confusing to me since I was no familiar with his work. I felt very lost, but mainly bored. I have been to theatre productions in the past (mostly the ballet, or musicals), but this really wasn’t my thing.

I definitely thought the second half of the play was more interesting than the first. Now months later Heidi is renovating her new home in Winnipeg, when she is paid a visit by her Uncle Eric (also played by Ross McMillan).

Heidi appears to be a changed person, and often begins rambling on about Nietzche, and how her life is better-spent helping people live in society, rather than being a psychiatrist at the jail.

The one part of the play that I enjoyed the most was hearing the fate of James as Heidi confesses to her Uncle about his suicide.

Although I didn’t enjoy the play very much, I did appreciate the complex script written by Ratzlaff, and the passionate acting.