Burgeoning at the Fringe
What is intriguing about any true Fringe Festival is its uncensored,
un-juried nature allowing amateurs and veterans alike to please—or perplex—their
audience.
At the Atlantic Fringe, some
productions are more seasoned, having already been performed at various festivals;
others use it as an opportunity to “workshop” their play or make their theatrical
debut.
Within a span as short as 30 minutes, sets from a previous
production are torn down while the mise en scene for the next is being arranged,
often by the actors/director/playwright themselves .
In Halifax, you can see Fringe Fest fanatics running all
across the peninsula, from theatre house to cosy, unconventional venue, to fit
in as many plays as they can. Some enthusiasts do this every single night of
the 11-day run (August 29-September 8).
Indeed the Atlantic Fringe offers a special kind of magic—a youthful
energy among artists and admirers, a sense of “you never know exactly what you’ll
experience,” extracted gems of genius…Some of this magic pours in and out of Silver
Dagger and Suicide Makes Sense.
Silver Dagger
Silver Dagger is one of those plays whose basic plotline
might sound generic: Handsome stranger comes to small town, locals ponder his
shady past, young woman falls for him despite her mother’s disapproval…
But in reality, this play is anything but generic. Rebecca
Schneidereit has crafted a luminous script filled with authentic emotion, a
sense of place—one can easily picture the streets of Wolfville—and unexpected
hilarity. In some instances the dialogue and intonation may not be wholly
reflective of its time period (1971), but this does not tarnish the coming of
age tale.
As Silver Dagger progresses, the four-person
cast intriguingly reveals more of their characters and acting panache.
Ciáran
MacGillvary as Isaac, the sexy stranger from Venice, delivers consistent body
language (i.e. making eyes at the woman he wishes to woo), even when the
spotlight is removed. Karen Power as Ruby, the busy-body gossip and possessive mother,
is the fuel source for humour; her pacing and intonation do the script’s “laugh-out-loud”
moments ample justice. John Bullock as Arthur creates a convincing pretence of being
a plain yet successful professor, and equally, persuasively cracks when the
true side of his character is revealed.
And unsurprisingly, Schneidereit as Crystal, is perhaps most
in touch with her character. So natural and seemingly un-staged, she
demonstrates her genuine connection to the tale.
Monday being a stormy night, Theatre Nova Scotia’s Living Room
wasn’t full to capacity. But at the end of the performance, Silver Dagger
was met with a resounding applause, enthusiastic enough to come from an
audience quadruple in size.
Silver Dagger ~ Remaining Shows
Saturday, September 7 •8:15pm
Sunday, September 8 • 3:45pm
@Theatre NS’ The Living Room
Suicide Makes Sense
Who knew a comedy about suicide could be tastefully funny? And
oh does the audience laugh at Suicide Makes Sense.
But in actuality, the play is much more than the
controversial issue of death by one’s own hand. The multi-layered concept is brilliant:
Sam is writing a play about Marty who MUST commit suicide. Sam and Marty are
literally in the same room interacting and debating with each other about Marty’s
fate. The storyline breeds confusion—welcomingly so—and in fact the actors (or
characters or actors…) acknowledge this perplexity as they interact entertainingly
with the audience.
Each performer offers gems: Andrew Gouthro’s (as Sam)
mobility around the stage and vocal expression is lustrous; Bradley James
Hartman (as Marty) hilariously channels “puppet on strings” motions; and Chad Raymond
Elder Poirier (as Ted) is so very fun to watch (Barney from The Simpsons
comes to mind).
The play actually written by a “Sam” (Sam Bambrick) seems to
mirror a blurred philosophical line between reality and the stage. The graphic
moments (an actual noose around a hangman’s neck, for example) are starkly bold,
revealing a play on the verge of such potential. If some of the repetitive
content is cut out, the pacing tightened up, and the ending refined so that it
reflects the brilliant of its premise, Suicide Makes Sense can remain (like
Marty…perhaps) alive.
Suicide Makes Sense ~ Remaining Shows
Friday, September 6 •
6:45pm
Saturday, September 7 • 10:45pm
@Museum of Natural History
Reviews by Michelle Brunet
