About the Play:

Unholy is a full-length drama by Diane Flacks. Set in a fictional live public debate that asks, "Should women abandon religion?" Unholy is about the complex intersection of religion and misogyny, and the conflict between ideology and desire. As four female panellists face off in a provocative battle of wits, passion and attraction outside the debate fuels fire at the podium, leaving the women, their moderator and the entire audience to a spiral into freefall.

Unholy delves into the biblical struggles that tear us apart and makes us who we are. It's about having the courage to take the leap in life and into love. What is more holy than that? Four female panellists face off in a wild, whip-smart televised debate about the intersection of religion and misogyny. On one side, there's Maryam, a progressive Muslim lawyer, and Yehudit, an Orthodox Jewish spiritual leader. The other has Liz, a lesbian anti-theist pundit, and Margaret, an excommunicated nun. The debaters wrestle with themselves and with each other: Can you be a feminist and believe in religion? What can or can't be forgiven? Why do we have faith to begin with? Between the arguments, each of the debaters return to a seminal and secret moment in their past that represents a crisis of faith, leading the debate to become more and more personally charged, until it climaxes in an epic battle, culminating in a possible leap of faith.

Unholy premiered in 2017 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre by Nightwood Theatre in Toronto. It enjoyed sold-out performances and was remounted receiving a nomination for a Dora Award for outstanding new play. Since then the play has been produced at professional theatres in Canada.

Cast: 4 female, 1 male

What people say:

"It was a brilliant idea on Diane Flacks's part to write a play about a debate – on the topic "Should women abandon religion?" – rather than a debate disguised as a play. Letting us see these debaters let down their guards behind the scenes, as well, was a timely reminder of how much punditry is really performance. A sharp script other theatres across Canada should look into picking up." — The Globe and Mail

"Unholy is a remarkably funny and intellectually stimulating play about feminism, religion and tolerance and serves as a balm to all the hate-based discussion of these topics one encounters nowadays in all forms of media." — Stage Door

"There is no hiding in Unholy – there's bad, morally questionable, and worse. That's what makes it so good." — Mooney on Theatre

"Necessary and timely. It is important in creating a dialogue for women to discuss how religion has created a world divided by beliefs, while at the same time, seeking a path towards reconnection." — Hye's Musings

About the Playwright:

Diane Flacks is an Emmy, Gemini and Dora nominated Canadian comedic actress, journalist, screenwriter, and playwright. She is known for her four smash hit solo shows and her featured columns in the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail, as well as in her regular national CBC radio column on parenting.