Moss Park at GCTC Falls Flat

I’ve always been a fan of George F. Walker’s plays with their dark humor, unusual characters and plot twists.  Unfortunately I can’t say that about “Moss Park,” his two character 60 minute play currently running at GCTC.  The two characters are pretty much stereotypes and the plot predictable.  The fact that it’s produced by Green Thumb Theatre of Vancouver which produces theatre for young audiences perhaps explains why “Moss Park” feels like a cautionary tale for pre-teens.

The two characters, Bobby (Graeme McComb) and Tina (Emma Slipp), have a baby and no money.  They get together to try to figure out their future.  At least Tina does but Bobby, obviously a few bricks short of a load asks, “The future?  Like tonight?”  Among the possible solutions considered is Bobby becoming a thief.  His explanation of the ethics of stealing is mildly amusing.  Another option is the Army and Bobby has some funny lines, but his total ignorance is just not believable.  Both actors hail from Vancouver and do passable jobs with their predictable characters.

The play is set on the street, backed by a chain-link fence.  Behind the fence we see a number of discarded household items, including a large teddy bear.  In front of the fence are a streetlight and two graffiti-covered benches. Since this a Walker play, I half hoped the teddy bear would come to life and bite someone, but alas it was not to be. Martin Conboy designed the set as well as the effective lighting, which includes a lovely lingering sunset.

For some reason these characters don’t engage our sympathies, in spite of their dire situation.  With every plot turn it becomes increasingly dire, until I wanted to shout, “Enough already.”  Director Patrick McDonald refers in his “Director’s Notes” to Walker’s plays as “riotously funny and, often, frightfully painful.”  I can only assume that Mr. Walker was having an off day.