goestoshow

Despite covering what seems like fairly cliched material, namely the idea of the soul mate and the chase across lifetimes for that one perfect life that’ll make all the rest worthwhile (see for example the film The Fountain with Hugh Jackman), this play manages to be touching and bittersweet in its attempt.

I can pin this play’s escape from cliche on one really important twist. In this play, the soul mate is not always the opposite gender, nor always in a sexual or even romantic relationship with you. While the Aloysius (Lou in one life, Aloys in another) is always a man, his soul mate Valentine switches between being a man and a woman (played by two different actors). In one life, Valentine is even a budding female-to-male transsexual unsuccessfully seeking her father Aloysius’ approval.

Seeing the frustrations of their love across their lives as they are guided to a conclusion they don’t understand by a nearly-all-knowing mischief god in a field of blocks that represent their other lives distorted by other-worldly perspective manages to create a tragic atmosphere that culminates in what I felt to be a very powerful climax. The climax is also helped by some of the most effective use of well known music in a fringe play I’ve seen in a while (simple formula, touching well known song + touching scene).

I feel the only downside to this play for me was a digression into a kind of myth-building that I don’t think can really be pulled off on the small stage. It makes an admirable effort, but I would have been ok without the flashback to the Fox’ origin story. I have to say, though, that it would have made an excellent graphic novel.

Tags: ****, Amber Muller, Ben McIvor, Evan Hall, Evan Smith, Mari Chartier, Quick & Dirty Theatre, Stuart Hoye, Will Mitchell