Vigilante is a rock and roll trip through a world filled with hate and hell bent on revenge. (DB Photographics)

Forget saccharine romance or moral virtue! As I walked to the theatre on Sunday night, in the middle of a snowstorm, I was hoping to see something that shook me out of my winter funk. Luckily the cast and crew of Vigilante were up to the task.

This is a rock musical based on the 1880 massacre of the villainous Donnelly family in Ontario. Although based on a real story, this musical takes it’s own artistic liberties. The show opens when we meet the six Donnelly boys as they stumble, stomp and swagger onstage, back from the dead to tell their tale. The boys, determined to clear the family name, take us back to Ireland where men are at war with each other over religious lines.

“…we meet the six Donnelly boys as they stumble, stomp and swagger onstage, back from the dead to tell their tale.”

Enter Johannah, the family matriarch played masterfully by Jan Alexandra Smith. Smith’s voice soars above the all male chorus showing it’s not just the men that can hold their own in a world full of violence. Johannah seems to seal the fate of the family from the beginning when she falls in love with James Donnelly (David Leyshon), her family’s sworn enemy. The pair marry anyway and escape to Canada in search of a new life free from war and violence, but it’s not to be as the hate of their old world finds them in their new home.

Although the family is each despicable and does awful things, you can’t help but feel throughout that they are still worthy of redemption. I think this is due, in part, to the brotherly bickering, the odd twitching and yes the loud and proliferous swearing that offers a break in the stories ongoing tension.

The musical itself was solid, the vocalists are each strong and distinct. I was particularly struck by Robert’s (Eric Morin) lament I’m Home. Morin’s voice blew me out of my seat with its raw emotion. Of course, nothing beats the full company belting out the songs in anger, spitting venom and hate through their lyrics.

The on stage band blends seamlessly into the set as the music soars. Of course there are anthem like songs where the guitar soars but equally impressive is how much atmospheric sound the ensemble provides. Scratching strings on a violin, for example help to haunt this spooky set.

In all Catalyst Theatre’s Vigilante is one that I wouldn’t hesitate to see again and this time I would even bring a newbie to musical theatre. It’s harsh, dark and violent but that’s what makes it an interesting and exciting night at Persephone Theatre. The show has now been extended to  March 18th. Tickets are $33 and you can find more information here.

**Language warning in this show.