By Monica Alder c/o Darkroom Theatre

Elena Juatco and Claire Wynveen in Veronika Decides to Die

Darkroom Theatre Projects seems to be on to something with a style that screams early experimental rock video. The show’s live action is captured by cameras and fed simultaneously to a large onstage screen and to a laptop computer that’s prominent in the spare set. Live camming isn’t new but here it’s done with great finesse — huge nod to director Michelle Newman. The visual dynamism is coupled with a ballsy sound design by Doug Brown, who blends indie pop-rock from artists like Imogen Heap and Maria Taylor with his own electronic sounds to reflect the emotional state of the title character.

Veronika a 24-year-old Slovenian, overdoses on pills because she can’t find a reason to live, despite the trappings of a successful job and family. Awakening in a mental hospital, she’s told by the scheming Dr. Igor (Alex Dault) that she will die within seven days because of irreparable damage to her heart. Veronika’s redemption inspires her fellow inmates and raises the question: is insanity merely non-conformity and a path to liberation? The story is “devised from” the novel by Brazilian Paulo Coelho, which was criticized for its ham-fisted handling of that moral. But in this nearly operatic form, it kind of works.

As manic patients, Viktor Lukawski and especially Claire Wynveen are a delight with their burlesque acting, especially in the cleverly shot balcony scenes. Elena Juatco (Canadian Idol, Miss Saigon) has great stage presence as Veronika — the suicide scene is harrowing — but she doesn’t always sell her dialogue, especially alongside newcomer Rob Lampard. Still, uneven acting from a fresh cast can’t sink this glowing, throbbing show.