It’s great to see a whole range of Theatre at this year’s 2013 SummerWorks, and I was delighted to see a secondary school production included in the festival. The play, Love at the End of the World, playing at the Scotiabank Studio Theatre, is a great example of how the next generation of performers is workshopping innovative ways of storytelling.

The play is a joint production by Fr. John Redmond C.S.S. and the Sears Ontario Drama Festival, and it features an original play with a promising young cast, clever writing and some great explorations in movement and choreography.

The story involves a young poet who falls in love with a young environmentalist in the mayhem that is the end of the world. Littered with tragic and quirky characters, the narrative is funny and touching, and the cast delivers endearing performances. The playwright and director Gregory McGrade has written a script with characters that are complex enough for these young performers to sink their teeth into, and dialogue that is snappy enough for the playful, comedic side of this cast to shine through.

There are some hilarious moments coupled with choreographed movement pieces that investigate the more solemn nature of these characters predicament (it being the end of the world and all) and the transition between these two different tones strikes a nice note and doesn’t seem forced.

It’s a delightful experience as I always enjoy watching young performers try original content and experimental work.

Details

• Love at the End of the World plays at ScotiaBank Studio Theatre (6 Noble Street)
• Thursday August 9, 4:30 pm; Saturday August 10, 2:00 pm; Sunday August 11, 4:30 pm.
• All individual SummerWorks tickets are $15 at the door (cash only). Tickets are available online at http://summerworks.ca, By phone by calling the Lower Ossington Box Office at 416-915-6747, in person at the SummerWorks Info Booth (located at 100A Ossington Avenue, first floor) Aug. 6-18 10AM-7PM (Advance tickets are $15 + service fee)
• Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 3 shows.

Photo provided by the Theatre company