Strawberries in January: imagined screenplays provides the impetus for this cute little sit-com
Whether you think of Strawberries in January — if you think of it at all after viewing this slight piece of theatre — as fantasy, sit-com or glorification of falsehood, it is unlikely to have a lasting impact.
Four people looking for love eventually pair up in an entirely predictable fashion, after a little entanglement with might-have-beens and imagined screenplays.
The strongest moment — definitely worthy of the spontaneous ovation that it received on Friday evening — is John Koensgen’s fine delivery of the speech that turned his character, Robert, from present to past university professor.
The silliest moment (repeated frequently) is Sarah McVie’s pulling instead of pushing the exit door, capped by bracing her raised foot against the door jamb. (Blame the repetition on the playwright and the final excess on the director.)
On the plus side, Robin Fisher’s design, accompanied by Sean Lamothe’s projected images, provides an economical means of delivering two locations.
The major problem is the script. For instance, the connections between the two women — supposedly pen pals since they were 10 years old, who had lost touch — and between Robert and one of the women are forced.
The cast interacts effectively to deliver individual moments and scenes, sitcom style, that are cute and amusing. Sadly, the script also contains as many scenes that are boring and repetitive.
Three people around me made their statements about the show by sleeping through most of it, one even snoring audibly.
Strawberries in January continues at GCTC until February 13, 2011.
Strawberries in January
By Evelyne de la Chenelière
Translated by Morwyn Brebner
Director: Lise Ann Johnson
Sets and costumes: Robin Fisher
Projection design: Robin Fisher and Sean Lamothe
Lighting: Jock Munro
Music and sound: Cathy Nosaty
Choreographer: Emmanuelle Zeesman
Cast:
John Koensgen Robert
Annie Lefebvre Lea
Sarah McVie Sophie
Pierre Simpson François