In the Spotlight:
Kaylee Harwood and Tahirih Vejdani from THE INVISIBLE - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Pictured: Kaylee Harwood & Tahirih Vejdani in THE INVISIBLE – Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Directed by Jonathan Christenson, Costume and Lighting Design by Bretta Gerecke. Photo by Emily Cooper.
After thrilling London audiences in 2017/18 and 2019 with the smash-hit musical Vigilante, a new Catalyst Theatre production marks its Ontario premiere at the Grand Theatre in January 2024: The Invisible - Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the gripping, new musical unveils the untold stories of seven fearless female Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents who risk it all for the fate of the world. In this exclusive Q&A, cast members Kaylee Harwood and Tahirih Vejdani offer fresh perspectives on this adventurous show and elaborate on why it's a must-see for Londoners.
- Tell us a little about the characters you play in The Invisible…
KH: Jacqueline Kovacs, aka. “Jack”, is a Parisian-born Londoner, fluent in French and English, who becomes the sharpshooter of the group. Her husband was killed in action by Nazis and she enlists to be part of the mysterious special operation with the future of their eight-year-old daughter in mind. Jack is based on the real-life hero Violette Szabo.
TV: I play Anna Sidiqui - an expert radio operator and coder. Anna is guided by her deep sense of faith and truth about what is right and wrong. She strongly believes truth, selflessness and love are strong enough to change the world. However, she is willing to do whatever it takes to help win the war. Anna is inspired by the real life “spy princess” Noor Inayat Khan.
- What do you believe is the main theme of this production?
KH: The piece reminds me to take a stand for what I believe, and to step bravely into my strengths.
TV: One important theme or question this production presents is the moral dilemma of what would you do if you were faced with the decision to fight back? How much are you willing to sacrifice? There is a cost to that decision either way, and for these women in this production, we witness that cost with them and what their sacrifices mean.
- Why is this show so important today?
KH: It's said that "history never repeats itself but it does often rhyme". It's been an honour and a challenge to explore this fictionalized version of a story of courageous civilians who enlist for this confidential operation, knowing they stand to lose everything. I think it's important to listen to the echoes of the past and reverberations of the present in hopes that we collectively push towards personal growth and a better future for all.
TV: This show is so important today to remind us about the impacts and loss of war. We tell these stories in the hopes that we do not repeat events of the past. The rise of both antisemitism and Islamophobia are ever present today with the ongoing events in Israel and occupied Palestine. If we seek better solutions than war - at the heart of that repair is empathy and compassion - and art is that universal language that can remind us of our shared humanity.
- Why should Londoners see The Invisible?
KH: It's not only an exciting, dynamic story, but the show is incredibly technical, specific, and stylized in its feel. The jumps in time and location happen in an instant, using ultra-precise light, sound, and video, and the whole piece is underscored with a driving pulse and a rhythm.
TV: The variety of musical styles, coupled with a visually stunning design, brought to life by phenomenal talent from across the country make this a must-see production. If Londoners are already fans of Catalyst’s other works, like Vigilante, then they are in for another high-calibre, action-packed show.
- Why do you love being in this show?
KH: I just adore working in this tight ensemble, singing gorgeous harmonies in all sorts of styles. I love exploring these different accents and languages we're called upon to use to cover the scope of this grand story. I love that we all jump around between playing heroes and villains and mythical figures, and the movement styles cover a huge range. It's a physical show that takes great stamina and concentration, and I get a kick out of the challenge as a performer. Can't wait to bring this show to London, the city I was born in!
TV: I love bringing to life the stories of these women - these unsung heroes - and getting to play the role of Anna Sidiqui inspired by real-life SOE agent, Noor Inayat Khan. I also love the meticulous work that goes into doing a Catalyst show - it’s a very satisfying experience working with this cast and team. I think the audiences in London are going to be equally impressed.
Catalyst Theatre’s The Invisible – Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare (Written, Composed and Directed by Jonathan Christenson) plays on the Spriet Stage from JAN 16 to FEB 3. For tickets, information on how to enhance your experience, or production photo and video, click the button below:
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