Becoming: promising but far too short!!!

Clocking in at only 20 minutes, Erum Khan’s self-created show Becoming seemingly starts, reaches its climax, and ends in the blink of an eye. Which is a shame, since the basic elements of this production are all intriguing and could benefit by being fleshed out more. The play centers around a single character (Khan) trapped in purgatory, who is trying to retrieve memories of herself and her girlfriend. A striking film projection (from avant-garde filmmaker Maya Deren) is used to illustrate a memory of being by the beach, with Khan perfectly mimicking the movements to the actress onscreen. Upon her retrieval of these memories, the woman then jumps into presenting a bunch of philosophical questions to the audience: the nature of purgatory for one, as well as whether it is right to abandon one’s faith if it hasn’t done anything for them.

Indeed, the question of faith is one that is particularly ripe for exploring (especially in its implied conflict with sexuality in the play) and the woman’s subsequent quarrel and breaking off with God seemingly indicates a more dramatic direction. It all comes to an abrupt and dissatisfying conclusion, however, when the woman calls all the audience members to come onto the stage and be examined as she is in purgatory. She then leaves the auditorium, effectively ending the play. Each of the viewers, including myself, were more than a bit baffled by this. As a result, Becoming feels rather like an incomplete work: one which has potential, but allows its interesting elements to remain undeveloped.

Becoming continues at the Arts Court Theatre for the Ottawa Fringe Festival until June 24. For show times and tickets, see http://ottawafringe.com/shows/becoming/