Like Wolves: A comedy that does not lose its connection with life
Photo: Barb Gray Left to right: Kimwun Perehinec and Nancy Beatty
Like Wolves by Rosa Laborde is a comedy, and no doubt about it! All elements are there: It is funny, it is entertaining and, of course, it is easy to relate to. What separates it from most entertaining comedies is the author’s ability to be funny without losing a connection with life. Some may be confused by the tragic end (what an inappropriate end for the comedy!), but it is precisely that extra value that comedies rarely deliver. Laborde does not play on sentimentality, but instead of offering an expected happy ending, she stays away from clichés and goes for a harsh reality.
The story revolves around an elderly couple (Sam and Vera) that comes to a retirement home for their anniversary. An unusual place to celebrate, but, as it happens, that is entirely Sam’s idea. Vera is shocked when she learns that her husband intends to move there, as a solution to his failing health and fading life energy. After Sam suffers a heart attack, events take a strange turn. The whole family gathers in the room – two daughters (Nina and Mia) and Nina’s, friend – a Chechen doctor, Yuri. While Vera dreams about traveling around the world, Mia has a love affair with eager and charming retirement home employee Tom, and Nina tries to get back to her work as a mission head in Africa. The only responsible and clear-headed person in this entire situation seems to be vodka-loving Yuri. When Sam comes back from the hospital the plot reveals a fraud, selfishness, broken dreams, and belated happiness.
Rosa Laborde summoned life perfectly in one play: what we do, what we dream of and what we need. And everybody needs, dreams of and wants happiness. Sometimes, just like Vera’s quest for happiness, our search seems to lead nowhere because we look in the wrong places. Once we discover where the happiness lays, unfortunately it is often too late. Although a comedy, “Like Wolves” seriously probes human nature and examines the consequences of our choices and desires. Deeply rooted in reality, the narrative takes us into ourselves, digging deep to reach our hidden vices. Laborde wisely utilizes an outsider Yuri as a balance to this domestic chaos. He, as a stranger who clearly sees through irrational forest of feelings and consequential actions, symbolically connects the dots.
This seemingly simple plot conveyed very complex ideas. It was on director Peter Pasyk and the cast to translate this beautiful and highly entertaining story into life, and they truly did it a justice. Pasyk created magic on the stage while bonding one scene to the other with a flawless pace. From the first to the last word, the play felt like a whole – nothing missing, nothing too much, just a perfect flow of events. Peter Froehlich and Nancy Beatty were very convincing in their respective roles (as Sam and Vera), and John Koensgen as Yuri radiated a hope and moral strength in the midst of domestic turmoil.
Funny, relaxing, meaningful… those three words are enough to describe the atmosphere in GCTC during its last show of the season. What a great way to finish a highly successful season!
Like Wolves
Production Great Canadian Theatre Company
Writen by: Rosa Laborde
Directed by: Peter Pasyk
Creative Team
Jessica Poirier-Chang: Set/Costume Designer
AL Connors: Sound Designer
Robert Thomson: Lighting Designer
Cast:
Nancy Beatty: Vera
Matthew Edison: Tom
Peter Froehlich: Sam
John Koensgen: Yuri
Kimwun Perehinec: Mia
Alix Sideris: Nina
Plays at Great Canadian Theatre Company from June 4 to June 23, 2013
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 8pm
Saturday: 4 & 8:30pm
Sunday: 2pm