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Q&A | Fare Game: Life In Toronto's Taxis

We flagged down creator and performer Ruth Madoc-Jones for info on Theatre Passe Muraille’s latest production

By Lauren Gillett • November 12, 2012

L-R: Khalil Talke, Alex Williams, Ruth Madoc-Jones and Marjorie Chan. Photo by Amanda Lynne Ballard.

After more than two years of research and development, Fare Game: Life In Toronto’s Taxis begins previews this Friday, November 16 as part of Theatre Passe Muraille’s Theatre Beyond Walls Season. Created and performed by Ruth Madoc-Jones, Marjorie Chan and Alex Williams, the multimedia play exposes the struggles taxi drivers face in a 90-minute docudrama-style production. We caught up with collective member Ruth Madoc-Jones to find out more about what drives this show.

Theatromania: Tell us about Fare Game. What inspired this project?

RMJ: I really enjoy the political conversations I have with taxi drivers. I feel they are a window into the world. I expressed this to Theatre Passe Muraille and my desire to write a piece about taxi drivers. Last year Andy McKim asked me if I wanted to make this show and I asked Marjorie and Alex to come on board. They are also political artists with a history of collective creation.

Theatromania: How would you describe this production in a sentence or two?

RMJ: It is both a play and a living documentary that examines the struggle for a fair system for drivers within Toronto’s taxi industry.

Theatromania: What is the most shocking thing you learned about the taxi industry during this process?

RMJ: That drivers sometimes have to work 14-16 hours a day 7 days a week and they still can’t make a living.

Theatromania: Has this experience changed your opinion of Toronto taxi drivers?

RMJ: Yes. Completely.

Theatromania: What do you hope people take away from this performance?

RMJ: When they take a taxi they take a moment to pause and consider the life of the driver.

Catch Ruth Madoc-Jones in Fare Game: Life in Toronto’s Taxis from November 16 to December at Theatre Passe Muraille (Mainspace). Visit passmuraille.on.ca for more information and to buy tickets.