Isle of Demons is a story by Governor General Award-winning playwright Robert Chafe. It tells the incredible but true story of Marguerite de la Roque who was abandoned on a remote island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1542. Part tragedy, part thriller, this play has premiered in Toronto thanks to the Guild Festival Theatre.
Marguerite (Kiera Publicover) is a well-to-do young woman growing up under the watchful eye of her guardian, the Sieur de Roberval. When Roberval is appointed as first Lieutenant General of New France, Marguerite – who has no other family – must accompany him on this long voyage. As she prepares to board ship, she encounters Eugene (Josh Johnston), a childhood friend and soon to become her paramour.
Eugene is joining Roberval’s crew as they embark towards New France. Soon enough, Marguerite and Eugene become inseparable. Marguerite’s nurse, Damienne (Helen Juvonen) warns her about her uncle and his ruthless attitude towards propriety. When they are found out, Roberval abandons them both, along with Damienne, on a remote island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, known as the Isle of Demons. Stranded in a place filled with hardships, unseen dangers, and what seem like supernatural threats, the three must work together and fight to survive.
Truth be told, I was unfamiliar with the play and Marguerite’s story. This was also my first time attending one of the Guild Festival Theatre’s productions at the lovely Guild Park and Gardens (formerly known as Guildwood Park).
As the play started, evening light set in… perfect timing. The setting and windy evening helped move the story along quite well. I appreciated the small cast and the use of limited props as the audience had to focus more on the words being spoken. A comment about the passage of time within the story – it was not always clear and at times, difficult to discern how long the characters had been stranded on the Isle of Demons. As such, my companion and I were oftentimes not following the timeline well.
Nonetheless, the themes of human endurance and resilience still come through. This play is not an accurate account of what Marguerite de la Rocque’s experience really was, as there are no first-person accounts of the story. However, Marguerite’s experience in the Isle of Demons can serve as a way to keep and believe in hope in the most difficult circumstances… and essentially, finding strength within ourselves to surpass these.
Isle of Demons continues until August 25, 2024. For show times and tickets, please visit guildfestivaltheatre.ca.
Photography by Raph Nogal
