A Quiet Place
BY Meghan Harrison January 03, 2008 17:01
A QUIET PLACE
Featuring James Cade, Christopher Stanton. Written by Brendan Gall.
Directed by Geoffrey Pounsett. Presented by Single Threat. Part of the
Next Stage Theatre Festival. ?Jan 4, 5pm, Jan 5, 7pm; Jan
6, 3pm; ?Jan 7, 7pm; ?Jan 9, 7:15pm; Jan 10, 9:15pm; Jan 12, 9:15pm;
Jan 13, 5:15pm. $15; $12 mats; $44 four-play pass; $88 eight-play pass.
Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst. www.nextstagefestival.com.
Play - Comedy / Mature Audience / Warnings: content, language
Running time: 75 Minutes
Though it’s not the only play at the Next Stage Theatre Festival that features Christopher Stanton regaining consciousness in a mysterious and terrible situation (Don’t Wake Up), nor the only play quoting reams of Shakespeare (Random Acts of Love), A Quiet Place is its own animal. Stanton plays David, who finds himself tied to a chair in a small room with his assumed captor Henry (James Cade). Unfortunately, very little of what David assumes about his circumstances turns out to be true.
Brendan Gall’s existential dramedy features such strong performances from its actors that it’s easy to stop being conscious of the writing (which is, of course, also a sign of great writing). Stanton’s slumped, weary David is a sympathetic straight man whose slow disintegration is heart-wrenching, while Cade’s more anxious Henry creates a great deal of tension out of Henry’s mood swings. Their comic chemistry is particularly impressive, and the believable relationship lends credence to their unbelievable situation.
It’s difficult to balance comedy and pathos, but Gall’s script doesn’t seem to have an unnecessary or awkward line in the whole of it. The pacing is relentless without becoming overwhelming, and there are lots of unexpected treats, like the hilarious song-and-dance sequence (choreographed by Emily Andrews). And while Henry is the funnier, more interesting character for much of the play, Gall makes sure things end differently.
Haunting and hysterical, A Quiet Place is certainly “a great reckoning in a little room.”
625 Church St, 6th Floor, Toronto M4Y 2G1
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