A Life Sentence
A Life Sentence is inspired by a young woman's lived experience of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Through theatrical devices, a timeline that stretches decades, and vulnerable, creative storytelling, this play explores victim-blaming, and it's lifelong effects on a person. "It's certainly the time to do it", says Gwen's abuser, referring to the "trend" of women coming forward with their truth. 30 years later, this same sentiment has been echoed in the wake of the #metoo movement. When the opportunity to seek legal repercussions for her fathers actions presents itself, Gwen has to consider losing everything for the possibility of justice. A Life Sentence was originally produced at Studio 58 as a part of Fourplay 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
David Underhill as L.L Van De Beek, Alina Blackett as Gwen, Logan Fenske as John in A Life Sentence at Vancouver Fringe 2023.
"[...]a vibrantly navigated story of darkness[...] an uncomfortable watch, but a necessary one[.]" -Stir Vancouver
"A life Sentence was an incredibly moving experience for me. It had my blood pumping and my eyes tearing up throughout. The performances coupled with the skillful direction of such a delicate subject matter blew me away." -Vancouver Fringe Patron
A New Life for A Life Sentence: Vancouver Fringe!
3 years after its cancellation, and less than a week after the passing of Jarred's Grandmother, the inspiration behind the character Betty, A Life Sentence was selected for production in Vancouver Fringe 2023. With an entirely new cast made up of Studio 58 graduates and Co-Directed by best friends Jarred Stephen Meek and Jessie Liang, A Life Sentence made it's triumphant return to the stage at Vancouver Fringe 2023!
A LIFE SENTENCE
Written by: Jarred Stephen Meek
Dramaturgy by: Amiel Gladstone & Aaron Bushkowsky
Directed by: Jarred Stephen Meek & Jessie Liang
Starring: Alina Blackett, Logan Fenske, Jimmy JinPyo Hong, Sabrina Banks, Stephanie Elgersma, David Underhill, Sofie Kane and Jarred Stephen Meek.
Stage Manager: Emily Case
Stir Vancouver Q&A and Review:
Playwright, Co-Director and Performer Jarred Stephen Meek was featured in Stir Vancouver with a Q&A about A Life Sentence. Check it out here to learn more about the show and the process!
Stir also graciously attended and reviewed A Life Sentence:
“If Hope were a colour,” Alina Blackett’s Gwen says at the start of A Life Sentence, “it would be beige.” The ensuing performance, on the other hand, is a vibrantly navigated story of darkness. Based on the true experiences of playwright Jarred Stephen Meek’s mother in 1970s Hope, B.C., Gwen is sexually abused from age nine by her radio broadcaster father John (Logan Fenske).
Blackett is aptly anxious and frantic as Gwen, spurred by a fear of her abuser. In return, Fenske’s John is a drawling, drunken menace; his sideburns, handlebar stache, and wife-beater tank complete an image of old-fashioned intimidation that contrasts his respected radio persona.
Gwen’s childlike wonder shines through in an impromptu belting of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” with her best friend Lisa (Sofie Kane), and in her passion for horseback riding; but it’s ripped away from her when her father forces a deeply unsettling slow dance between them.
The shock of gunshots, plus the foreshadowing of a funeral, cast an ominous tone throughout the show. It’s an uncomfortable watch, but a necessary one—we see the long-term effects of childhood trauma on full display as a woman chases justice.
-EL
.png)
Companion Book
In 2021, Jarred published a companion book to the play, called Picture Parfitt: The Ups and Downs of City Raised People in a Country Style Life.
"Sitting back and re-reading these pages, it's a wonder we all made it- but they never complained about their nomadic way of life." says Barbara Parfitt on her years of farm and city life.
Picture Parfitt recounts the sometimes less than ideal, but somehow always perfect adventures of a family of 7, plus a farm full of animals. From a -68°C isolated Christmas, a face off with a bull moose, and the adventures of Piggy the, you guessed it, pig, you'll be sure to laugh and cry your way through this heartfelt journey.
Edited and published by her grandson, Jarred Stephen Meek, the book was originally written on a typewriter by Barbara as a way for her children to hold onto some of their happier and more adventurous memories. In 2021, having lost her memories to dementia, the book was published and given to Barbara so she could have a first hand account of her memories from her own point of view. Barbara, the inspiration behind Betty, passed away in February 2023 after an over 5 year journey with Dementia.
Picture Parfitt is available here on Amazon.
