About the Play:

In Absentia is a full-length drama by Morris Panych. A woman has been frozen ever since her husband was abducted during a business trip to Columbia. A young stranger appears who bears a striking resemblance to the missing husband. Will this be the connection she has been waiting for? 

In Absentia explores the notion of disappearance, articulated in very personal terms. It is as if the rigid frozen winter never thawed for the year since hearing of her husband's abduction while on a business trip to Columbia. Colette, herself, has remained emotionally motionless, for four seasons, isolated in their country cottage, waiting for word, or perhaps of even more significance to Colette, a connection. A young stranger in a jean jacket waves to her from the frozen lake – a sign? She emerges to give him her husband's parka – strangely, the boy has a likeness to Tom. Tom, who has disappeared but still speaks to her. A riveting mystery and moving story of vanished love brought to light by Morris Panych's trademark humour.

In Absentia was first produced in 2012 at the venerable Centaur Theatre, the oldest English-language theatre in Montréal..

Cast: 2 women, 3 men

What people say:

"This mystery story is a powerful meditation on the nature of lost love and grief, depicting a woman whose dire circumstances force her into deep contemplation of her marriage." — McGill Daily

"As heavy as it sounds and affecting as it is, [the play] has an uplifting vibrancy coming from an embracing narrative … While the story deals with profound loss, it's much more about the redemptive power of love than the difficult process of grief." — Sacramento Bee

"Panych ponders big questions...." — The Globe and Mail

About the Playwright:

Morris Panych is one of Canada's most significant contemporary playwrights. He has written more than 25 works for the stage and directed nearly 100. He is the winner of two Governor General's Literary Awards for Drama, the country's most prestigious literary honour. He has won 14 Jessie Richardson Awards, three Sidney Riske Writing Awards and five Dora Mavor Moore Awards.