Toymaker's War Opens February 23rd

WGT - Working Group Theatre marks the 20th anniversary of the beginnings of war in Bosnia with Toymaker's War, an original piece by Jennifer Fawcett.


The production opens February 23rd at Riverside Theatre.

Toymaker's War is the story of Sylvie Bernier, an ambitious young journalist, and Milan, a Bosnian Serb who is a "toymaker-turned-child-soldier."

From the press release:

"Milan’s little sister, Lejla, inhabits an imaginary world of dolls, knights and dragons. Beyond the perimeter of her childlike fantasies, however, a gathering storm of violence and hostility swells, exploding in a horrific climax for the children of the village.

Years later, Sylvie is a successful journalist summoned to the Hague to testify in a war crimes trial about the brutality and horror she was a part of. Haunted by memories of Milan, Lejla, the massacre—and a mysterious old woman who may or may not be real—Sylvie must face what really happened in Bosnia, actions taken in the name of revenge and love, and the part she played as a journalist and witness."

Fawcett is a graduate of the U of I's Playwright's Workshop who has received multiple awards for her work. In Toymaker's War she explores the moral ambiguity inherent in civil war:

"I am fascinated by the psychology of war and what happens inside someone that allows neighbor to turn on neighbor. Particularly with civil war, groups can work together one day and then divide, having to dehumanize or make a monster of a group to justify what they feel they must do to them. And when we are talking about children, it becomes unthinkable."

Toymaker's War is directed by Sean Christopher Lewis, with set design by Shawn Johnson. It stars Ottavia De Luca as Sylvie and Martin Andrews as Peter.

Performances are February 23-25 at 7:30pm, February 26 at 2:00pm, at Riverside Theatre (213 N Gilbert St). Tickets are $12-15 and can be reserved at 319.338.7672. There will be a talkback after the February 24th performance.