The War of Miranda Bird

“Even if it takes me a hundred years to get revenge, I will have made haste.” – Pashto Saying

When Zariah disappeared 25 feet away from the family gas station, her mother Miranda swore she’d never stop looking until she found who took her. 18 hunting seasons later, Miranda finally knows.

The War of Miranda Bird is an epic tragedy set deep in the Appalachians, richly coloured with the dark humour and haunting music of the traditions buried deep in the bones- revenge, honour, family and pride. An ensemble piece conceived for 4 men and 4 women, and intended for a bare stage, Miranda Bird’s tale of relentless vengeance reflects the implacable drive and ethic of the people as hard as stone that inhabit the mountains.

The choice to set the play in the Appalachians is connected to the above mentioned themes of violence and revenge, and also provides audiences in Canada the opportunity to engage in a parallel storytelling absorption of their own human trafficking/ missing women tragedy as related to the Highway of Tears.

Once in production, this play requires a musical element that is evocative of the traditions of the Appalachians- human voice, guitar, fiddle and banjo particularly.

Finally, the story is centred on how violence may come easier to men – yet there is nothing stronger than a mother fighting for her child, and revenge is gender neutral.

This is a staged reading of a new play in development. The audience will experience the reading by professional actors and gain insight into the process of how a play is taken from page to stage.