The first half of the one hour performance had various lightbulbs strewn across the stage to form a large circle. From the first second the single light bulb lit up I knew I was in for a immersive theatre experience.
As I walked into the Extraspace at Tarragon Theatre, the stage was adorned with a bed standing up vertically facing the audience, a clothesline holding various garments, and a small breakfast table ornamented with coffee cups and a newspaper. Jazz music from the 1930s played, giving the play a ragtime feel, and immediately Falling Awake was beginning before the stage lights went down.
This is the first time the company RAGMOP has performed in Toronto and therefore the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival, and it was a definitely a beneficial addition to the festival!
Playwright and director, Deon Denton, tackled an ambitious storyline in 51 minutes. The play deals with Henry (Geoff Mays), a recovering alcoholic struggling to come to terms with his past, who is confronted by his councillor along with his 10-year-old neighbour, to move on from his traumatic history.
Postcard Theatre brings That Joyce Girl, a one woman show written and performed by Kate Cattell-Daniels, to the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival at the Factory Theatre Mainspace.
The play focuses on Lucia Joyce, daughter of literary master James Joyce, and her struggles with his increasing fame, her desire to dance and her lifelong battle with mental illness. The story of this woman is extremely dramatic and therefore perfect for the stage, but why did I come out of the theatre not feeling completely moved?