After a critically successful run with pirates and magical boys in Neverland last October, Pangdemonium is dialing back the fantasy for the first show of their 2019 season. Stripping things down to the foundation of pure dialogue and acting, the local theatre company will present Late Company from Feb 22-Mar 10—a simple but searing look at cyberbullying and society today.

Written by young Canadian playwright Jordan Tannahill, Late Company was inspired by a real-life tragedy that took place in his hometown of Ottawa in 2011. As media attention skyrocketed and the nation burst into a conversation on bullying and homophobia, Tannahill set pen to paper and crafted his own response. His play keeps things no-frills. Set around a dinner table, the story takes place over the course of the night. Debora and Michael apprehensively await the arrival of their guests—Tamara, Bill and their teenage son Curtis, the bully responsible for the suicide of their own son Joel a year earlier. On the menu is a mixed bag of blame, shame, redemption and retribution, as each guest has their moment to reflect on the tragedy. You thought your family dinners were tense? You ain’t seen nothing yet.

Directed by Tracie Pang, the play stars a tight cast of Edward Choy, Janice Koh, Karen Tan, Adrian Pang and Xander Pang. Settle in for an uncomfortable reality check on teenage suicide, social media, cyberbullying, and the fragility of family relationships. Late Company marks the first of three Pangdemonium productions this year centered on the theme of Present Tense / Future Perfect; and clearly they’re not easing us in slow.

Late Company runs Feb 22-Mar 10 at Victoria Theatre. Tickets start from $30 and are available here.