On Stage: Wren Theatre’s ‘The Drowning Girls’

A haunting play about three brides who share two things in common: they all married the same man, and they are all dead.

Toronto’s Wren Theatre presents, The Drowning Girls, starring Adrianna Prosser, Vikki Velenosi, Amanda D’Souza, and directed by Tatum Lee, the all female cast & crew production shines a haunting light on this still relevant story based on true events.

The Drowning Girls tells the story of Bessie, Alice and Margaret, three of the many wives of George Joseph Smith, an Edwardian opportunist who made a living marrying women, taking out life insurance policies for them and subsequently drowning them in their baths. Emerging from their clawfoot bathtubs, Bessie, Alice and Margaret share the evidence against a murderous man in a chilling ghost story that recounts the shocking crimes.

As they make their case, they discover how they have been victimized not only by George Joseph Smith, but also by society at large. The Drowning Girls is full of rich images, a myriad of characters, a quirky sense of humour and lyrical language.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Gillian Macleod (technical director), Tatum Lee, and Jaclyn Manishen (assistant director) to learn more about the behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, its significance, and what audience can look forward to in this production.