Funny, shocking, thought-provoking, Big Plans, playing as part of the SummerWorks festival is not for the weak-stomached.  It was easily the craziest theatre experience my guest and I had ever shared.  As the lights crashed to black, we, the bewildered audience hesitated to applaud.  But once we started, the results were thunderous.  And that’s after watching what happens when a man responds to an ad looking to be eaten.

Despite the macabre subject matter, the brilliant script by Jeremy Taylor has incredible, universal moments which would appeal to any viewer.  The main character Gordon, masterfully played by Andy Trithardt, is a 30-something single man whose idiosyncrasies and immaturity manage humour at some of the most inopportune times.  His guest Henry, played by Karl Graboshas, is wonderfully weak-willed and ironically believable. The addition of Leni Parker as the steadfast Mother is the cherry on the top of a human sundae.

But Big Plans takes an extreme, unbelievable moment and uses it as a pedestal to highlight what motivates all of us to do what we do, say what we say and think what we think.  It’s as though Taylor used a can-opener to reveal the secret world of loneliness, pain, and desire in these characters and shared it with the audience.  Every aspect of the production, from the writing, acting, directing, sound direction, choice of venue (the cool-looking, but too-warm-feeling Hub 14) was flawless.  I’d recommend it to anyone.  Even my mother.

Details

• Big Plans plays at Hub 14 (14 Markham St.)
• Remaining performances are Sunday August 12th, 8:00 PM, Tuesday August 14th, 8:00 PM, Wednesday August 15, 8:00 PM, Thurs. August 16, 8:00 PM, Friday August 17th, 8:00 PM, Saturday August 18th, 8:00 PM, Sunday August 19th, 2:00 PM
• All individual SummerWorks tickets are $15 at the door (cash only). Tickets are available online at ticketwise.ca (Advance tickets are $15 + service fee)
• Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 3 shows.