Louise Lambert is pouring heart and soul into one of the most emotionally demanding performances of her career.
As Emma, the fiercely intelligent but deeply troubled actress at the centre of Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places & Things, Lambert is tasked with navigating a whirlwind of addiction, withdrawal, and identity crisis. Running at Coal Mine Theatre until March 2, 2025, the show focuses on Emma’s path from a mid-performance meltdown to rehab, where she’s forced to face the lies she tells herself and everyone around her.
But admitting the problem is just the first battle. Emma’s real struggle is deciding if she even wants to get better. Will it be relapse or recovery? The performance demands both brute stamina and psychological nuance – and Lambert “didn’t think twice.I jumped at the chance to play this role”. She finds Macmillan’s writing “brilliant” that she confesses, “I recently told a friend that I can’t remember the last time I resonated so deeply with a character.”
The role of a lifetime
A big part of Lambert’s affinity for the role “is because Emma is an actress. And as one myself, I see so much of my own experience reflected in her” – to an almost uncanny degree: “Duncan Macmillan has written a speech in this play about the struggles and joys of being an actor—an artist—and I remember reading it and feeling my heart explode,” she says. “It so perfectly captures who we are, the privilege and exhilaration of telling stories, but also the very real struggle of trying to survive in this world as an artist.
But Emma is more than just an actress. She is a force of nature…brilliant, endlessly complicated, and desperate to avoid confronting her demons. And all of this makes stepping into Emma’s skin equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. “Emma is an incredible character—strong, sensitive, and fiercely determined. She has a huge heart, a sharp intellect, and an undeniable passion for her craft,” says Lambert. “But she’s battling deep wounds and struggles with addiction, which bring her to rehab at the start of our play.”
At its core, People, Places & Things is a profound meditation on identity, truth, and the masks we wear, both on and off the stage. It mines the blurred lines between performance and reality, exploring addiction not just as substance dependency, but as a means of escape from a world that feels unbearable. Through Emma’s journey, the play wrestles forcefully with questions of self-deception, recovery, and whether genuine transformation is truly possible.
An unflinching look at addiction
What distinguishes People, Places & Things from other portrayals of addiction is its refusal to simplify or sentimentalize. The play immerses audiences in Emma’s rehab journey as she resists the 12-step program, questions its validity, and grapples with withdrawal symptoms. Meanwhile, she compulsively lies, manipulates, and performs—because performing is all she knows.
To prepare for the role, Lambert, director Diana Bentley and set designer Steve Lucas spent time at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), speaking with doctors and individuals in recovery to deepen their understanding of addiction and rehabilitation.“This experience was invaluable to our process,” Lambert explains. “As actors, we draw from our own emotional experiences. But when portraying something as complex as addiction and recovery—especially when I haven’t personally experienced this kind of treatment—it was crucial to step outside of myself and learn from those who have.”
What she learned at CAMH profoundly shaped her approach. “I gained a deeper understanding of the specific drugs Emma is on: how they affect the body and mind, and what the highs and lows of withdrawal truly feel like,” she says. “That knowledge has been essential in shaping my performance, making it as truthful and layered as possible.”
Movement and intensity
In addition to its razor-sharp dialogue, People, Places & Things, Movement Director Alyssa Martin of The National Ballet of Canada has conceived a mesmerizing physical storytelling that captures the intensity of Emma’s experience.
For Lambert, working with Martin has been transformative. “Alyssa is incredible! It’s amazing to watch her creative mind at work as she crafts these beautiful movement sequences,” Lambert says. Moreover, “what makes working with her so special is how deeply collaborative the process is—she doesn’t impose choreography onto me, but instead builds from what I bring as Emma.” That organic approach has enabled Lambert to fully embody the character, particularly in the play’s most physically and emotionally demanding moments: “This approach makes everything feel so organic and emotionally driven, rather than just technically choreographed.”
With such an intense role, one might wonder how Lambert manages to separate herself from Emma at the end of each performance. The answer, she says, lies in her castmates and creative team. “I rely heavily on my colleagues,” Lambert says. “The actors and dancers in this show have created such an incredibly supportive and safe environment, which has been essential for me, especially as I navigate the emotional complexities of portraying someone in the depths of addiction and withdrawal.”
That safety net includes a powerhouse ensemble cast, which features Oliver Dennis (as Paul / Dad), Farhang Ghajar (Mark), Fiona Reid (Doctor / Therapist / Mum), and Matthew Gouveia (Foster), along with Nickeshia Garrick (Laura / Ensemble), Sam Grist, Sarah Murphy-Dyson (Meredith / Ensemble), Kwaku Okyere (T / Ensemble), and Kaleb Tekeste (Shaun / Ensemble).
“Diana and Alyssa have fostered a space where I feel free to explore without fear,” Lambert says. “Their trust and guidance allow me to push myself while still feeling protected. This kind of support is invaluable when taking on a role as raw and demanding as Emma.” And at the end of each day, Lambert makes sure to “let go of that emotional state” before leaving the Theatre.
Universal resonance
Ultimately, People, Places & Things is as much about addiction as it is about the human need for escape, the struggle to face ourselves, and the complicated process of healing. And Lambert’s aspirations for the show reflect this fact. “More than anything, my hope is that those who are battling addiction, or have been through recovery, feel seen and understood,” she says. “If I could accomplish just one thing with this performance, it would be that—to offer a sense of recognition, validation, and maybe even hope.”
And she has a parallel goal for us all: “What excites me most is sharing this journey with Canadian audiences and giving them a deeper understanding of what addiction really looks and feels like,” she says. “I hope people walk away not just informed, but moved—seeing addiction and recovery in a way they may not have before.”
For at its heart, People, Places & Things is about much more than just Emma: “The world we live in today is incredibly tough. And I think, in one way or another, we all grapple with addiction—whether it’s something big or small, obvious or hidden,” Lambert reflects. “Emma’s battle may be extreme. But at its core, it speaks to something deeply human in all of us.”
People, Places & Things runs at Coal Mine Theatre until March 2, 2025. Reserve tickets at coalminetheatre.com. A detailed audience advisory (containing spoilers) is available here. There will be two post-show talkbacks with Dr Leslie Buckley, Addiction Psychiatrist and the Chief of the Addictions Division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) alongside director Diana Bentley on Tuesday, February 18 and Thursday February 20, 2025.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine 2025
