Courageous

A very interesting play about the Canadian Charter ! Actually, it is about the issues that arise from the charter and the impacts it has been having on Canadian society. What are the limits of individual rights versus group rights? How tolerant are we really?
Two plays in one, but tied together cleverly.
I came to see Patrick Gallivan and Tom Rooney - two of my favorite actors and was not disappointed. But what a bonus to see Brandon McGibbon and Maurice Dean Wint!
Brandon McGibbon played the slacker perfectly - initially his language and mannerisms were annoying, but as he took control of the second act, he became such a real person. Dumb with a heart of gold!
Maurice Dean Wint played two very different roles and did them so well you had a hard time remembering it was the same actor.
Good lighting and staging. Strong cast overall. An afternoon of interesting discussion.

Civil Elegies

We ended the 2009 season with a Soulpepper production of this one man show. The poems of Dennis Lee are performed to a video backdrop of images. It is surprisingly effective.
Mike Ross who created the play, also performed and played the piano.
Hard to reconcile the author of Alligator Pie with the bleak outlook expressed inthis set of poems.
We enjoyed the performance, but were not unhappy to hear those lovely words as we entered the theatre "ninety minutes, no intermission".