TORONTO - Age gap relationships often spark discomfort among certain audiences, and actress Tantoo Cardinal addresses this issue as she discusses her role in the upcoming Soulpepper production of “Witch.” In the play, Cardinal portrays Elizabeth Sawyer, a character who engages in a flirtation with the devil, played by 29-year-old Nicholas Eddie. Cardinal acknowledges that the age difference, as she is 75 years old, requires introspection and a willingness to embrace the tension inherent in this dynamic.
“I think it’s a new dawn and a new day. I think it’s fine and it’s fabulous and it is wonderful, and let’s go, let’s do it,” Cardinal expresses regarding relationships between older women and younger men. She believes that the portrayal of such relationships on stage can help to dismantle ingrained prejudices. Cardinal notes that while she had her own reservations about depicting this tension, it ultimately aligns with her character’s journey.
Age gap relationships, particularly in the public eye, often attract criticism due to perceived power dynamics. Celebrity examples include Leonardo DiCaprio, age 51, who faces frequent ridicule for dating women in their twenties, and 73-year-old Bill Belichick, who has drawn media scrutiny for being in a relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson. French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte also encounter questions about their age difference, highlighting societal discomfort surrounding such pairings.
“Witch” director Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster observes that in a patriarchal society, men are typically viewed as more powerful than women, regardless of the actual circumstances. This perceived power imbalance, accentuated by factors like age, experience, and wealth, contributes to the scrutiny of age-disparate relationships. She suggests that equilibrium might be more easily attainable in relationships between older women and younger men, as the woman may possess her own power, although societal norms might complicate this perception.
Ch’ng Lancaster cast Cardinal for her magnetism, and upon realizing the age difference aligned with the narrative, chose to emphasize it further in the story. The play unfolds in a small village where Elizabeth Sawyer has been labeled a witch by the townsfolk, and when Scratch, the devil, arrives with tempting offers in exchange for souls, she is the only one who resists him. Through their dialogue and interactions, they gradually form a bond that transcends initial expectations.
Eddie, who plays the role of Scratch, reflects on the evolving power dynamics between his character and Cardinal's. What begins as a dynamic where he holds the power shifts as Sawyer consistently rebuffs him, forcing his character to seek her approval and allowing her to regain control. This thematic development resonates with the romance evolving in a manner reminiscent of classic narratives, such as those by Jane Austen, where relationships transition from indifference to flirtation.
Cardinal highlights the significance of portraying late-in-life romance, advocating for greater visibility of this theme. She asserts that not everyone in their seventies is ready to retreat from life’s pleasures. Emphasizing the importance of embracing life and the joy of love at any age, she states, “There’s life, there’s life. And who knows how long I’m gonna be around, but you know, I’m going to have some fun while I’m here. Give it a shot.”
The production of “Witch” is set to run at Soulpepper’s Michael Young Theatre in Toronto from February 5 to March 1, 2026, offering audiences a chance to engage with these thought-provoking themes of love, power, and societal norms regarding age differences in relationships.
