The Boy in the Moon: A world premier that falters under the staging and the script.

“The Boy in the Moon,” adapted by Emil Sher from the memoir of the same title by Ian Brown, chronicles a father’s search for the inner life of his severely disabled son, Walker. The book is quite introspective which presents a problem for the playwright. There’s very little interaction between the three actors and the script often feels like a disconnected series of musings and narratives.

Another problem is the casting. Peter James Haworth who plays Ian Brown and Manon St-Jules as Walker’s mother seem out of balance in both age and size. There’s no chemistry between them and we never get a sense of their relationship, only their relationships to Walker. Not only are they not connected to each other, they seem disconnected from their characters, especially Mr. Haworth. Miss St-Jules shows us more levels of her character, but the most realistic and connected moments are provided by Marion Day as Walker’s older sister Hayley, one of her multiple roles.

Robin Fisher has designed a spare set with overlapping oriental rugs on a wood floor and two wooden chairs. Suspended up center is an interesting arrangement of large squares and rectangles that provide a back drop and also a hallway and entrance between them. They’re also used for projections of Walker and Hayley drawn by Miss Fisher. We see a photograph of Walter only at the final moment.

Jock Munro’s lighting is lovely, especially the changing light on the hanging panels. Samuel Sholdice’s onstage underscoring is delicate and unobtrusive, but at times becomes monotonous.

Director Eric Coates has done his best to keep the play from becoming static, but some of the movement, particularly through the hanging panels, seems almost like slow motion. I also didn’t understand the reason for Mr. Haworth’s contorted arm and hand movements.

This is very powerful and emotional subject matter. “The Boy in the Moon” raises many difficult questions. What is happiness? What is humanity? Most of all his father’s question, “What is the value of a life like Walker’s?” There are no easy answers – only more questions, but the play is somehow detached and never connects emotionally with the audience.

The Boy in the Moon – GCTC through Oct. 5 Tkts: 613-236-5196

The Boy in the Moon by Emil Sher based on the book by Ian Brown

CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Eric Coates

Set, Costumes & Projections: Robin Fisher

Lighting: Jock Munro

Composer & Sound: Samuel Sholdice

CAST

Hayley, Olga, Various Doctors, Voices & Friends: Marion Day

Ian Brown: Peter James Haworth

Musician, Various Voices: Samuel Sholdice

Johanna Schneller: Manon St-Jules