Cue6’s Intelligent, Current Show Wows

We Three is spectacular. I wanted to get that out of the way before continuing to say any more about the show that is currently playing at the Tarragon Theatre’s Workspace. It is poignant, current, comedic, dramatic, and, spectacular.

The story starts as a reunion of university friends Skye, Jamie, and Blaire after the latter visits Toronto having lived the last two years Calgary. The apartment is mostly clean, and dinner is in the oven when Blaire arrives. Hugs are hugged and smiles shared until Blaire’s new breast implants are introduced.

This would seem innocuous enough although feminist blogger Jamie takes exception and the discussion opens into wider issues of female body image, rape culture and, feminism itself.

Sarah Naomi Campbell as Jamie, Suzette McCanny as corporate Blaire, and Hallie Burt as PHD candidate Skye are excellent individually, but more important, as a collective. When the girls sit down to dinner I felt like I was hanging out with my friends. The conversation between the actors is so casual, even with their conflicting opinions, that I felt as though these women did know each other for years. This speaks to their talent but also their knowledge of their characters and the script. It being opening night, I was anticipating one or two hiccups but none appeared.

When the antagonism between Jamie and Blaire reached its heights the emotion was raw and real. My guest and I felt as though Campbell and McCanny were arguing as opposed to their characters. I could tell how committed to the scene they were by the tension in their body language alone.

Hallie Burt’s Skye it seemed was somewhat stuck in the middle between the most intense arguments between Jamie and Blaire. Burt played this to both a dramatic and comedic tee by injecting a well-timed turn of phrase or a full-stop revelation inducing moment of silence. It was in that moment of heavy silence where we saw the love these characters had for each other and full praise to McCanny, Campbell, and Burt for doing this without words.

The performances alone make this show a must see, however, Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman’s script is thematically multi-layered and on point with the current social climate of Toronto.

When my guest and I sat down after to discuss the show we kept having “wow” moments when discovering another layer and interconnection of character development. One of these was how Skye’s dynamic changed with Jamie when Blaire arrived. Having a group grow from two to three always changes the perspectives of the characters and we loved these subtle notes.

I would argue that thematically We Three is one of the most important shows in Toronto right now as it incorporates the Jian Ghomeshi trial and the related discussions of feminism, rape culture, and the various perspectives that have arisen even more the public consciousness as a result.

One of the main conflicts in the show is between Jamie and Blaire and their views on rape culture in particular. It is only Skye’s aforementioned revelation that brings the conversation, not to a conclusion, but to a halt, bringing the friends back to each other.

What I loved is that We Three brings these subjects to the forefront of every audience member’s thoughts.

My guest and I discussed our definitions of feminism immediately after leaving the theatre and I feel she said it best when she said she feels that ultimately feminism is about equality for everyone. Regardless of specific reactions though, We Three raises the topics for intelligent discussion which, when it comes to any societal discourse, is the most important thing.

We Three is is a show that needs to be experienced as I could write a 2,500 word essay about it and it still wouldn’t do it justice.

Details

• We Three is playing until April 17, 2016 at the Tarragon Theatre’s Workspace (30 Bridgman Ave.)
• Shows run Thursday to Saturday at 8pm, with matinees at 1:30pm on Wednesdays and 2:30pm on Sundays
• Ticket prices range from $23 – $37, and can be purchased online, or through the box office at (416) 531-1827
• Mature language and adult themes

Photo of Sarah Naomi Campbell, Suzette McCanny, and Hallie Burt by Samantha Hurley