"You don't normally go to a theatre and see women behave like this," says local playwright Cheyenne Rouleau.
She's talking about her new play Sunrise Betties; it's also the name of a fictitious gang of women she created and placed in Vancouver's criminal underworld in the early 1970s.
Inspired by local historian Aaron Chapman's work and the real-world stories from groups like the Clark Park Gang, Rouleau says the idea started a while ago when her husband got her interested in films like The Departed and the Godfather series; previously, she hadn't been interested since there weren't many, or any, female characters.
"I fell in love with the genre, but I noticed there isn't much of a female presence," she tells Vancouver Is Awesome.
So she decided to do it herself.
Creating 'brutal and gritty' roles for women
"As an actor, it is so rare to play roles where you are brutal and gritty and violent and it's fun, it's really fun," Rouleau says. "There aren't a lot of roles for women like that, even though they are a real part of that genre."
While more positive, feminist films, plays and shows exist, few explore darker, violent, or criminal themes.
"We've gotten to see men on film and on stage being bad people forever. I think it's women's turn," she says.
That said, she says Sunset Betties isn't just a gender-swapped take on the genre.
"I don't have a bunch of women acting like men, I have a bunch of women acting like women with a dark side," she explains, adding that she hopes this type of storytelling is part of a new phase in feminism in theatres and on screens.
Some historical context
Rouleau has plenty of experience in show business herself, as an actor (showing up in things like Wild Cards and the Good Doctor); playwright (including the critically acclaimed The After After Party); and producer. So, despite the tone being darker than her usual material (she's typically involved in comedy), she took a stab at writing a period piece based in Vancouver's notorious 1970s gangs.
"The setting is obviously real and historical and the references I make in the play are all real references," she explains. "I ended up getting consultants: two members of the Clark Park Gang and a retired VPD inspector."
One of those consultants was Kim Brucker, the last surviving female member of the Clark Park Gang. She also spoke with Danny 'Mouse' Williamson, a former Clark Park Gang member, and retired VPD Insp. John Grywinski, who worked on the integrated gang task force.
Aside from writing dynamic female characters, Rouleau says she wants to give people a glimpse into Vancouver's pre-Expo 86 world, especially blue-collar East Vancouver.
And for those who want more than a glimpse, the consultants will be on hand some nights for post-show talks where the audience can ask them questions.
Sunset Betties will have its world premiere is at the Russian Hall (600 Campbell Ave.) and runs from Feb. 21 to March 10. Tickets start at $20 for previews and run to $30 for regular tickets.
"If you're new to theatre, but watch Netflix and movies and all that, this is a much more intimate script," Rouleau says. "You're going to be close up and personal with these actors. It's very in your face. It's going to be exciting and cinematic."
