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Here Lies Henry - Review

Homage Is Being Paid To Daniel MacIvor and da da Kamera This Season At Buddies

Sep 21, 2006 Mike Mackenzie

da da Kamera is closing it's doors in 2007, but first, Buddies In Bad Times is paying tribute to the work of Daniel MacIvor in the form of three of his hit one-man shows.

For almost 20 years, da da Kamera has been producing cutting edge, innovative theatre that has been hailed the world over. Next year though, the company is shutting down, and it will be a loss for the theatrical community.

MacIvor first came to Buddies In Bad Times in 1987, when they put seed money into his play See Bob Run, and that began a long and productive relationship that culminated in a production of MacIvor's A Beautiful View at the end of their 2005-2006 season.

Last night, one of MacIvor's one-man shows, entitled Here Lies Henry began a limited return engagment, and it's a shame. It's an absolute shame that we may never see MacIvor portray these characters again.

Here Lies Henry deals with Henry, a self-confessed liar. He rambles on, awkward at times, about the meaning of life, and the pointlessness of it all. He tries to tell us something we don't already know, but because he is a liar, it's hard to distinguish what is truth and what is a lie.

MacIvor is absolutely in his element on the stage, sharing a story that is tragic, funny and deeply moving all at the same time. His script is quick, sharp, and most of all, supremely elegant and blunt. He achieves moments of complete brilliance, captivating his audience for the full 75 minutes of the piece.

Daniel Brooks, MacIvor's long time collaborator, directs the production with energy and simplicity. There is no set to get in the way of MacIvor, and it isn't needed. Brooks moves MacIvor around a tiny playing area when needed, otherwise, he remains standing in one spot.

This is the kind of evening we have come to expect from MacIvor and Brooks, and if Here Lies Henry is any indication, Toronto audiences have a lot of great theatre to look forward to before we say goodbye to da da Kamera and MacIvor.

Here Lies Henry

By Daniel MacIvor

Presented By da da Kamera and Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

Starring Daniel MacIvor

Directed By Daniel Brooks

*****(out of five)

For show and ticket information, click on the Buddies In Bad Times Theatre Website

The copyright of the article Here Lies Henry - Review in Modern World Theatre is owned by Mike Mackenzie. Permission to republish Here Lies Henry - Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.