the Canadian : a clever and very funny farce at the 1 000 *Islands’ Playhouse. !
A new work by expatriate playwright Jason Hall, The Canadian, deftly mixes together classic elements of farce with uniquely Canadian themes (some relating to the town of Gananoque itself) to great comedic effect. The strength of the script is much enhanced in this production, under Rob Kempson’s direction, which takes place in the Springer Theatre. The expertly choreographed falls and trips, constant slamming of doors in people’s faces, and funny soundtrack, to name a few, each further contribute to the hilarious spectacle.
Set in a lake-front town very much like Gananoque (though not explicitly named as such), the play begins with a young woman, Vanessa, receiving an inquiry from an over-eager developer looking to buy her grandmother’s property to build condos on it. With her grandmother determined to keep the property (called “The Canadian”, leading to more than a few misunderstandings during the course of the play), Vanessa is left in a difficult bind; luckily, an easy solution is seemingly found when a Hollywood writer named Sinclair seeks to rent out the cottage so that his client, a C-list (and Canadian!) actress named Cassie can regain inspiration in her native land. As typical of a farce, however, all does not run smoothly, as the arrival of Jared, a fling of Cassie’s from LA, shows up, sowing further conflict and confusion in the process.
This is a production in which the acting is especially strong: each of the performers give well-defined and appropriately exaggerated portrayals of their characters. Indeed, exaggeration is something very beneficial in this kind of play, as it creates characters that are easily memorable and always funny when it’s their turn onstage. Sophia Fabiilli’s double performance as the protective granddaughter Vanessa and her male alter ego Van is highly energetic and captivating, while Paula Wing perfectly nails the defiance and crassness of her grandmother, Karole. Tyler Murree‘s impression of the smooth-talking American developer Fortune is all too real (the electric shocks he periodically experiences in the cottage are equally as funny). Alastair Forbes’ portrayal of bespeckled talent agent Sinclair is delightful in an old-fashioned gentlemanly way, as is the earnestness of the aspiring carpenter, Jared (Norman Yeung). The most appropriately dramatic performance, however comes from Christy Bruce, whose brashness as Cassie commands the attention of both the viewer and other characters onstage.
The Springer Theatre itself provides ample stage space for the two-level set by Anna Treusch. It contains all of the doors that are necessary for funny slams and multiple entrances and exits, a functional staircase and upstairs section, and even a small balcony outside one of the upper doors as a neat piece of stage engineering. Canadian trinkets on the walls, including a set of snowshoes, canoe paddles, and a taxidermied moose head, also add a nice touch. The Canadian theme is cleverly represented in the costumes of some of the characters (also designed by Treusch), not least among these Karole’s pink collared fish shirt and Van’s red tuque. Sound design by Lyon Smith is another strong element of this production: from the topsy-turvy circus music mixed with animal noises which opens the play to the bird’s cry whenever Karole repeats her catch-phrase “Fortune favours the Canadian”, what happens aurally complements the farce theme.
The Canadian is a highly humorous and entertaining production overall, which cleverly remarks upon the realities facing small Canadian towns from larger forces (such as our American neighbours and debt) today. The fact that it is being put on at the 1000 Islands Playhouse is very fitting indeed.
The Canadian runs at the Springer Theatre in the 1000 Islands Playhouse until August 18. For information and tickets, see http://www.1000islandsplayhouse.com/the-canadian/