If you’re looking to add some wit to the week, check out Wendy Lill’s play “Chimera,” playing at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto.

The six-person play explores the controversially contemporary issue of embryonic stem cell research and begs the question, what does it mean to be human?

The stage is cast on Parliament Hill when Roy Ruggles (Dave Jansen) spearheads an investigation to determine if human embryonic stem cells have been injected into monkey brains.

The query arises when Christian Alberta MP George Fanning (David Fox) confronts newly appointed Justice Minister Clare MacGuire (Philippa Domville) during question period.

When MacGuire evades Fanning’s question Ruggles smells a story and hopes this will be the breaking news that puts his career back on the radar.

He goes directly to the source, Dr. Nell Harrier (Joan Gregson), a scientist performing the experiments who’s seeking a cure for autism.

Chimera unravels the ethical ramifications modern medicine has on the most vulnerable-the human embryo.

Should the latent stages of human development be protected over millions of people who suffer from crippling diseases?

It’s a sensitive subject to tackle but Lill does a successful job in balancing the act by not appearing to be biased toward one side or the other.

Rather, she simply lays out both perspectives on each side of the coin allowing you to be the judge.

Chimera gives a raw representation to the frequent flare-ups journalists and politicians endure with one and other.

Lill’s astute understanding to political protocol come as no surprise considering she was an MP for Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, for seven years.

What I found most important is the way in which she addresses the existentialist question: what does it means to be human?

Our ability to use our emotions to feel pain and joy in the relationships we endure throughout our lives separate us from other exotic creatures and is what makes us complex and unique.

Her first hand experience in the political arena, knack for writing and outstanding cast win this production accolades.

Be sure to check out Chimera before its last performance on February 11.






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