Pommes et Restes: Shipwrecked on the Tempestuous Lost Island of Never. Outrageously clever!!
Photo: Barbara Gray
Pomme (Scott Florence ) and Restes (Margo Macdonald)
This latest adventure of those intrepid clowns Pomme and Restes , is an outrageously clever collage of reworked material taken from The Tempest , Peter Pan, Treasure Island , Robinson Crusoe and dare I even suggest The Love Boat, Dr. Who, Ann of Green Gables, Gilbert and Sullivan, Gilligan’s Island, Emile Zola, contemporary political theories , 18th century philosophy, comments on theatre of all sorts, and a whole lot more than what their programme dares to tell you. It is clear that the Fool’s archives are filled to the brim with ideas, the likes of which you would never suspect.
Thus, It becomes a whirlwind adventure that unravels at such a breakneck pace, you don’t even dare blink, for fear of losing a reference, missing a slick remark, or not noticing a clever gesture that carries many connotations! Well written by the Florence, Connors and MacDonald team, (all fine actors as well as writers), it is also beautifully directed by Al Connors who has come into his own as an excellent choreographer of meaningful stage shenanigans.
We already know the work of that dynamic clown duo Scott Florence (Pomme) and Margo MacDonald (Restes) who complement each other to a “T”. Here they are accessories to a conflict on a cruise boat when a sudden storm strikes the ship and they are all pitched into the sea and carried off to a deserted tropical island. Also floating along with them is a magical box, in the style of Dr. Who’s telephone cabin, a contraption that belongs to the great magician Pierre Brault. It will have dire consequences on the lives of the clowns, and the other characters played by Katie Ryerson and Jesse Buck.
Thus, most of the humour lies in the extremely witty and well researched text that reverses all the theatrical references and it’s these unexpected associations that make it all so amusing and keep us wondering what they will think of next. The show elicits chuckles and giggles rather than huge belly laughter because the humour is often subtle and sneaky and depends on one’s own capacity to recognize what is happening. .
This is just as much a play for people looking for substance as it is a corporeal free for all, as well as an intriguing guessing game, searching for the unexpected sources of all the references. Pommes, who still has his Inspector Cluzot French accent, sets the tone. Restes, the dominated clown with the saddest eyes possible, is diligently preparing Pomme’s birthday party but “a birthday”, quips Pomme, “only means we are one year closer to death”! Yes, “ winter holidays are all the more reason to celebrate the meaninglessness of life and the fact we are going to die”.
Well, how wonderful to strike deep depression into the hearts of an audience in the coming period of Christmas festivities. As soon as the clowns are banished from the cruise ship, the artfully tragic Magician (Pierre Brault) chases after them, and emotes like a highly melodramatic Shakespearean Prospero who is soon transformed into the evil wizard, out to avenge the suspected mistreatment of his daughter Miranda . Darryl Bennett’s soundscape and visual projection (helped by Andrew Alexander) bring to life Brault’s terrifying wizard face that sends us into the domain of those nasty fairy tales, meant to scare little children. Quickly, Miranda, evolves from the beautiful magician’s daughter to the innocent Anne of Green Gables (the perfect fantasy of the males in the show) and ultimately into a skimpily dressed jungle queen out to re-establish democracy on the island. While the mean old pirate captain condemned to loneliness on this deserted place, falls hopelessly in love with this gorgeous creature from the wilds. And the surprises don’t stop.
The highlights are even in the details: Pomme in a fit of dizzy excitement, decides to change his theatrical performance and try some “stand-up tragedy” , moving from “Pant less “ to “J’acuse “ , in other words, from Sans culottes of the French Revolution to the great defender of Dreyfus , Emile Zola, in that trial at the beginning of the 20th Century which defined the anti-Semitic right wing of French Society. They just can’t stop!!
And how about the unexpected fusion of Ariel and Tinkerbelle: The Tempest meets Peter Pan as the two characters melt into one strange little screechy voiced critter that flits about like a spot of light. And how do you deal with the politics of Anne of the Amazon making highly charged speeches about voting and tolerance, as the uber-exciting Jesse Buck , a nasty, snarling Pirate captain with a powerful pirate roar and great expressive gestures forces himself to be “Good”. But being good is so against his nature that it hurts. And I won’t go into the origins of all that, but I’m sure the writers are all up on their pre-Revolutionary French philosophy.
Hook is smitten by the Amazon Queen played by Katie Ryerson whose lively and fun filled performance was enhanced by the visual explosion of vibrant colour, brought about by Vanessa Imeson’s classy costumes. Please, do take note of that one particular high fashion pirate suit with red velvet coat, flowing black curly locks, fabulous musketeer hat with the panache flapping in the tropical breeze. Madame Imeson has really outdone herself.
Does a father’s vengeance solve the problem? Does true love win the day? Are Pomme and Restes reconciled? Does Pomme find true tragedy? There are so many little subplots, superplots and evolving plots which highlight Shakespeare’s own layer upon layer of plots that you have to keep focussed to make sure you get them all. But even if you don’t get them all, the event is so much fun.
John Doucet’s set is both a dreamy caricature and a floating world of near child-like make believe that is perfectly functional with various spaces for unexpected pop ups and disappearances as the characters creep around, causing mayhem at every turn.
Missing this time was the proverbial ice-cream to top off the evening. Ice -cream is Restes ongoing obsession but they made up for it with other goodies which we will not reveal. Whatever the snacks may be, you are still in for a treat with this latest adventure of the Fools. Do yourself a favour and go see it.
Before leaving the theatre, take a look at the art work in the Lorraine “Fritzi “Yale Gallery on the upper level. The exhibition by Maya Hum and Clare Brebner is curated by Resident Curator Malika Welsh.
Pomme and Restes Shipwrecked! On the Tempestuous Lost Island of Never plays until December 14, 2014. .
A Company of Fools and Great Canadian Theatre Company co-production
Written by Al Connors, Scott Florence, Margo Macdonald
Directed by Al Connors
Set: John Doucet
Lighting: Darryl Bennet
Sound/Projection : Al Connors
Costumes: Vanessa Imeson
Video content: Andrew Alexander