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The Chairs - Soulpepper

Soulpepper Presents Ionesco's Classic

Jul 4, 2006 Mike Mackenzie

The Soulpepper Theatre Company has done it again - a stunning production that leaves its audiences guessing and wondering what they have just witnessed.

Eugene Ionesco is considered one of the foremost playwrights of the "Theatre Of The Absurd" movement, and for very good reason. His plays are known to be at times rambling, incoherant and not based in any kind of reality. For the audience, it's essential to not only walk in, but walk out of the production with an open mind, asking yourself what it meant - to you.

The Chairs focuses on an elderly couple who live on an island. They keep themselves busy at night sharing the same stories and talking about what "could have been". The man has prepared a message that they feel will change the world, and are anticipating a group of people to arrive at any moment to hear that message. The man has hired an Orator, who will deliver the message to the masses.

The elderly couple, played by Oliver Dennis and Kristen Thomson are truly superb. They handle Ionesco's complex, and at times nonsensical text with ease, and they are absolutely in sync with one another from lights up to the final curtain.

Kevin Bundy is smooth and debonair as the Orator, with his rugged good looks and formidable stage presence.

Jim Warren has done a fantastic job at using Sue LePage's set effectively, moving the actors around with precision. At times, you feel as though you are at a tennis match watching the action jump from one side of the stage to the other, and it's absolutely delightful to watch.

Sue LePage has created a simple set with multiple doors, and is convincingly worn down and sparce. Louise Guinand's lighting design is haunting at times, including the opening image of the old man at his window, silhouetted by the moonlight. A truly beautiful moment.

While this may not be your typical "cookie cutter" evening of theatre, filled with love, romance and woe, you would be hard pressed to find a more interesting, thought prevoking and odd night out at the theatre this summer.

The Chairs

By Eugene Ionesco

Presented By Soulpepper

Directed by Jim Warren

Starring Oliver Dennis, Kristen Thomson and Kevin Bundy

Playing Now until September 2nd at the Young Centre For The Performing Arts

**** (out of five)

Soulpepper's Website

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