‘The Romeo Initiative’, a play written by Saskatoon-born Playwright Trina Davies, will be making its Persephone Theatre debut today.

Mackenzie Dawson, who plays the character of Markus in ‘The Romeo Initiative’, says the play is based on real events, although the story itself is fiction.

“‘The Romeo Initiative’ is based on this Cold War spy initiative that the East German Intelligence launched, where they would send spies into West Germany to try and romance secretaries and extract government intel. So it’s this very messy situation of having to lead a double life and the question of ‘what happens and how complicated can things get when someone starts to fall for their target?’”

Dawson says that the play is more than just a great story, it will also put the talents of local artists on display for the whole audience to see.

“I think it’s immensely important that we have local art. It’s written by Trina Davies who’s originally from Saskatoon, we’re showing off designers, as well as local actors here. I think it’s really important for people to see that we have so many talented local artists here in Saskatoon, in Saskatchewan, who can make really compelling work and that it’s something to be really proud and excited about.”

He adds that the crew behind ‘The Romeo Initiative’ has been hard at work for weeks to ensure the show is a success and believes the audience will tie the whole thing together.

“Any time you’re rehearsing a show and you get that couple weeks in, we always just need that final piece of having the audience. People from the public to come out and just enjoy the story with us as we share it. Whether that’s in the sense of laughing at the jokes or feeling into some of the really big emotional moments. It’s all about having this final aspect of bringing a show to life.”

‘The Romeo Initiative’ will run until February 15th. Tickets are available at persephonetheatre.org or by calling the box office.