And Slowly Beauty: a homage to the transformative power of theatre that does not invite involvement.

The very amusing opening scene, the brilliant set and the beautifully choreographed movements indicate that And Slowly Beauty…is to be a special piece of theatre. And there is much to enjoy about the English-language premiere of Michael Nadeau’s stylized drama, written in collaboration with a French collective in 2003 and now translated by Maureen Labonté.

But the early charm wears a little thin long before the conclusion two hours later — there is no intermission — and the saga of middle-aged crisis interspersed with excerpts from Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters is a little too much in love with itself for too much of the time.

Because the play pays homage to the transformative power of theatre, it will probably be seen as sacrilegious not to be totally entranced by all it has to say. In the interests of complete disclosure, let me point out that Chekhov is not one of my favourite playwrights, that I am wary of collective compilations and plays that retain the sensibility of their original language in translation and I am no fan of pretension however small the dose.

However, although it does not invite involvement, there is much of interest in the National Arts Centre/Belfry Theatre co-production smoothly directed and choreographed by Michael Shamata.

The outstanding performance by Dennis Fitzgerald as the everyman character (Mr. Mann) is number one. The five actors representing his family, colleagues, other points of contact and characters from Three Sisters, also give impressive performances as they switch personalities with every slight costume change.

John Ferguson’s mirrored glass and metal set is simply stunning, so much so that it is impossible to think of a more effective way of visualizing the playwright’s intent. Lighting by Michael Walton and music by composer Brooke Maxwell also add considerably to the ambience of the show.

The concept of a man being jolted into re-examining his life because he sees a stage play in which the characters yearn for a better life and winding those characters and some of their words into the dialogue is clever. And it is clear that the intention is to focus on the journey towards revelation rather than to reach any destination. But does the dance have to be quite so slow with so many repeat choruses?

After all, as Mr. Mann’s son tells him, “You chose your life.”

And Slowly Beauty… continues at the NAC Studio to November 19, 2011.

Ottawa, Iris Winston

November 14, 2011.

And Slowly Beauty

at the National Arts Centre English Theatre

By: Michel Nadeau (in collaboration with Marie-Josée Bastien, Lorraine Côté, Hugues Frenette, Pierre-François Legendre, Véronika Makdissi-Warren and Jack Robitaille)

Translated by: Maureen Labonté

An NAC English Theatre/Belfry Theatre (Victoria, B.C.) production

Director: Michael Shamata

Designer: John Ferguson

Lighting designer: Michael Walton

Composer: Brooke Maxwell

Associate designer: Tamara Marie Kucheran

Stage manager (NAC): Jane Vanstone Osborn

Stage manager (Belfry): Kim Charleen Smith

Cast:

Anita: Mary-Colin Chisholm

Mr. Mann: Dennis Fitzgerald

Claudette: Caroline Gillis

Sylvain: Christian Murray

Quentin: Thomas Olajide

Nadine: Celine Stubel