Wildly funny and wickedly wild, Kat Sandler’s Wildwoman closes Gateway Theatre’s 2025-2026 Season with a roar. Produced in association with Alberta Theatre Projects, the Western Canada premiere of Wildwoman is on the Gateway Mainstage only until April 4, don’t miss your chance!
Despite taking its inspiration from a real-world history behind Beauty and the Beast, this is anything but a fairy tale. Playwright Kat Sandler follows up her hit play Yaga (@ Gateway, 2024) with another historically twisted tale. Finding a basis of truth in the complex life of Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman who through her arranged marriage, at age 14, to the future King Henry II of France became mother to three future kings making her one of the most influential women in the French monarchy. Played by Sythia Yusuf in a powerfully intense performance that spans 40 years from her wedding to the petulant, spoiled and horny Prince Henry, to her role as regent for her young sons’ courts. Evolving from wide-eyed innocence as the young Italian lamb sent to join the French court, to the scenery-chewing wild wolf that taking control of the flock of courtiers and throne. A far cry from the last princess local audiences saw her performing as – Anna in Disney’s Frozen – this production is definitely not something for the whole family, at least 16+ is recommended.
Sandler has created a stunning play of two halves, both acts are similar in their intensity but wildly different in mood that director Jamie King skillfully seams together without being overly jarring. Act One looks at the early years of the young royals’ marriage where the only goal is to produce an heir, full of camp, bawdy humour that wouldn’t be out of place in an old Carry On movie. Act Two puts the focus on their later years as parents and the intense pressures of the corrupting power of the throne making the mood dark, disturbing and dangerous.
As the future King Henry II, Nathan Kay uses the full range of his theatrical prowess, excelling at the over-the-top comedy but equally chilling as Henry turns to tyrant. Believably boisterous and petulant as the newly married child-prince, Kay leads the audience to many burst of spontaneous, albeit sometimes uncomfortable, laughter. Becoming a maniacal, abusive ruler his uncontrollable outburst bring about gasps and cause the audience to cringe at his brutal treatment of ‘Cathy’ – the name he insists on calling Catherine against her wishes.
Supporting Yusif and Kay, but standing equal are a talented trio; Elizabeth Barrett, Connor Stuart and N Girgis. As Kitty, Barrett goes from kitchen wench to Lady-in-Waiting to courtier who falls from grace. Married to Kitty is Pete, played by Stuart, “the Beast” in the story begins as a caged freakish ‘pet’ for the spoiled prince, but is really just an excessively hairy and loyal gentle man who loves hard and passionately. Girgis is Didi – Diane de Poitiers – the real-life tutor and mistress to Henry, ever-present in the court and kings’ bed much to Catherine’s chagrin she abruptly learns her power dies with Henry.
Sandler paints a colourful and deeply powerful tapestry, viewing 16th century culture through the lens of 2026 sensibilities with all its controversial and uncomfortable views laid bare. From the regal arranged child marriage, to the abusive and forced wifely duties, blatant favouritism of the mistress, or selling children as pawns in diplomacy to misogyny, forbidden love, jealousy and religious persecution some points still resonate centuries later. Wrapped in lavish costumes from designer Alaia Hammer and an opulent set by Narda McCarroll, Wildwoman appears as a masterpiece period work but slaps the audience in the face with it’s boldness. Like all skilled storytellers, playwright Sandler crafts a production that engages the audience’s hearts and minds to elicit empathy and challenge perspectives with a good dose of humour to temper the spirits.
With Yaga in production as a limited series on Crave, this is your opportunity to be one of the first to see another of Kat Sandler’s fierce and funny historical reimagings. Wildwoman runs until April 4th at Gateway Theatre, 6500 Gilbert Road. Richmond. Visit gatewaytheatre.com for tickets and showtimes including April 1 – Tea Matinee & Talkback, April 2 – Thirsty (Wine) Thursday, and April 4 Vocal Eye performance.
Audience note: contains graphic language, suggestive sexual acts and violence, recommended for 16+