Sapphire Butterfly Blue

MTYP’s Summer Studio—MTYP – Mainstage

Sapphire Butterfly Blue is a powerful production which plays at and is produced by Manitoba Theatre for Young People. It is set in 1692 at the onset of the Salem witch trials. With a cast of 16 talented young adults, the audience is taken on a journey of movement, music, chant, monologues, song and dance. The key role of Bridget Bishop, the first young woman being accused of being a witch, is portrayed by 12 women who weave the moments of questioning, angst, sadness and fear as she comes to terms with the accusation and sentence of being considered a witch. Moments where the women reflect on the various emotions she experiences are felt by the theatregoers through both soft spoken words and intense anger and fright. The women reach the heart of the viewer through introspection, dance and the inspiration of the butterfly. The 4 men who embodied the judges express their fervour with intensity in their voice, movement and faces. One moment in particular gives you chills with the combination of ferocity of the judges and the terror felt by Bishop. Sapphire Butterfly Blue is best described as a visual and auditory explosion of moments which represent how witchery may have manifested in this time period and the resulting repercussion of the assertion imposed on the women of this era. It keeps you engaged as you follow the story and perceive the mirage of sensory images performed by this collection of dramatic artists.

Shayla Patterson

Sapphire Butterfly Blue

MTYP’s Summer Studio—MTYP – Mainstage

An excellent and unique interpretation of a glimpse in time of the trial of Bridget Bishop in the Salem Witch Trials. The transition moments flowed so well. The voice of one spoken by many gives power today to the voiceless of yesterday. May all voices be heard in the days of tomorrow, especially those who are persecuted unjustly. A must see for all youth and adults too! Thanks to the writer, directors, stage hands & performers that made this possible, keep on doing great work together.

Koreen Hrizai

Sapphire Butterfly Blue

MTYP’s Summer Studio—MTYP – Mainstage

This show was sensational! It is a brilliantly choreographed, gripping, and powerful contemporary show. A most creative way to tell the story about the first Salem witch trial. I found myself captivated from the very first moment of the show, and enraptured the entire time. I wept, was astounded and shaken by the dialogue, and impressed with the way the choreography added to the storytelling. I had a particularly visceral reaction to the show in the sense that I am enraged and can empathize with those women. The sense of hysteria and terror was tangible as we saw how fear makes fools and they punish the innocent. It’s a poignant, compelling and breathtaking show. The costumes and set/lighting design were also incredibly well done. This show is a MUST SEE.

Calantha Jensen

Sapphire Butterfly Blue

MTYP’s Summer Studio—MTYP – Mainstage

This was an EXCELLENT show. This show touched my heart and I shed a tear or two. The Salem Witch Trials started with a group of 13-14 year olds spreading false rumours that ended up in women in the village being hung for being a witch. How the elders of the town fell for this is incomprehensible. One line stuck with me, “I was only a witch when they said that I was.”

For the show being the first one, I can only imagine the performers grow and perform. The performers played each role perfectly with stunning emotions.

You will shed a tear. GO!!

Tracy Hall-Adam

Sapphire Butterfly Blue

MTYP’s Summer Studio—MTYP – Mainstage

Sapphire Butterfly Blue by Melissa Major is a challenging journey into the mind of Bridget Bishop, the first victim of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. Her last eight chaotic days are explored through voice and movement and presented by a cast of 16 young, multi-talented actors. Their performances are intelligent and nuanced and the demanding choreography is tight, tough and beautiful. Although the actors range in age from 13 – 18, this is not by any stretch a children’s show. The play has much to teach about injustice, false assumptions, and mob violence; the Company of Summer Studio has delivered a powerful and important message – one that I am still processing as a dark butterfly just fluttered past me.

Barbara Fawcett