Bug

by Yolanda Bonnell

bug is a solo performance and artistic ceremony that highlights the ongoing effects of colonialism and intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous women, as well as a testimony to the women's resilience and strength. The Girl traces her life from surviving the foster care system to her struggles with addictions. She fights, hoping to break the cycle in order to give her daughter a different life than the one she had. The Mother sits in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, recounting memories of the daughter that was taken from her, and the struggles of living on the streets in Northern Ontario. They are both followed by Manidoons, a physical manifestation of the trauma and addictions that crawl across generations. bug reveals the hard truths that many Indigenous women face as they carve out a space to survive in contemporary Canada, while holding on to so much hope.

Genres: Plays, Indigenous

80 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant play and performance by Yolanda Bonnell. She captures both trauma and hope in this short play.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bug is an absolutely stunning and poetic piece from Yolanda Bonnell, unpacking intergenerational trauma. The essays at the beginning and end really help fill out the context and explore the work further, and the photographs throughout helped with visualising what was written. I read a copy out of the local library, but it definitely seems like the kind of play that would be truly stunning to see performed on stage.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning.

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing play. I especially enjoyed the essays before and after.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

oh hello this was so powerful

[Mikayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75*

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until I started reading, I didn't realize this was a play with some short pieces bookending it. And wow! I was blown away! Meant to be a solo piece of storytelling performed by an Indigenous woman, the play follows women of an Indigenous family navigating addiction and intergenerational trauma.

I tried to read this out loud in an attempt to hear the rhythms and breaths of this play. I'm sure it was nothing like seeing it in person and yet, I still became so emotional and teared up multiple times. I thought it was a great idea to include photographs from an actual performance. This play doesn't just centre trauma. It also centres hope, family, community, and healing.

I highly recommend this to anyone as long as they are okay with the sensitive topics within, and I kept thinking about why we don't talk about plays like this in school instead of just the classics. I wanted to watch this, wanted to hear it.

Bonnell is the author and performer for bug. Bonnell wants to decolonize theatre, focusing BIPOC reviewers and creating an inner circle for marginalized bodies in the theatre space. Non-Indigenous people are invited to sit in the margins outside the ceremonial circle. As a settler-Canadian myself, I must confront, acknowledge, and work to dismantle my role in this racist system.