Sunday 12 August 2018

"A Girl Lives Alone", Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

SummerWorks started on Thursday.  Tickets start at $15 (you pay what you want).

SummerWorks is a curated festival recognized nationally and internationally as a launching pad for new and experimental work. We are interested in continuously re-imagining and innovating the possibilities for performance – how it is created, presented and experienced. 

SummerWorks supports work that has a clear artistic vision and explores a specific theatrical aesthetic. It encourages risk, questions, and creative exploration while insisting on accessibility, integrity and professionalism. SummerWorks is the place where dedicated, professional artists are free to explore new territory and take artistic risks. Rather than getting larger, we strive to get better. We look to introduce professional artists from diverse communities to each other and be inspired by our similarities and differences.

Over the last couple of years, Gord and I have seen many SummerWorks productions and have enjoyed them.  We like them because you never know what to expect.

This afternoon we saw A Girl Lives Alone.

A Hitchcock-esque comedy and murder mystery mash-up about death, fear, and how well you really know your neighbours.


Grace had just been murdered and the killer wasn't found.  The play is about the reactions and interactions of the other tenants who live in the building ... Marion, who  just moved into the building and didn't know Grace; Janet, who lives across the hallway from Marion, who loves Friends and was friends with Grace; Kim and Stewart, a couple who live upstairs; Alma, an older woman; Murray, the landlord; and a foley artist.

I liked this play.  The actors did a good job with their distinct characters and made good use of the space on the stage.  It ran for 75 minutes.  As a head's up, there is swearing.

It is playing at the Theatre Centre, which is in our 'hood.

No comments: