Review: THE BATHTUB GIRLS

At the Assembly Theatre, 1479 Queen St. W., Toronto, Ont.

Written by Robin Luckwaldt and Natalia Bushnik

Directed by Robin Luckwaldt

Sound and set by Phoebe Wang

Lighting by Waleed Ansari

Cast: Natalia Bushnik

Robin Luckwaldt

 

A well intentioned production that explores how two teens killed their mother that seems rather thin, even for a fringe show.

 The Story. The Bathtub Girls uses as its model the true story of two teenage sisters in Mississauga who drown their mother in the bathtub. The story is the first documented case of sibling matricide in Canada.

The Production. In the play the girls are identified in the program simply as “Older” (Natalia Bushnik)  and “Younger” (Robin Luckwaldt).  The family came to Canada from Europe. The father soon left them and the mother began drinking and was drunk most time. The girls had to fend for themselves.

When we are allowed into the theatre there is a recording of a woman’s voice talking some Slavic language it seems to me. There is no translation. The tape repeats itself until the production starts. The two women, Older and Younger are on stage, on the floor in white tights that go to the calf over which is a delicate dress of sorts. They look like they are simulating being in a bathtub (there isn’t one here) and they are in water. Their arms float in and out. It’s very difficult to see anything clearly that takes place if the women are sitting on the floor, unless one is sitting in the front row. If I’m reviewing and making notes, being in the front row is the last place I want to be.

The Assembly Theatre is a small space. If people are sitting in front of you you can’t see what is happening if the actors are sitting on the floor let alone as if in a bathtub. Much of the play takes place in that bathtub. Frustrating. Perhaps director/performer Robin Luckwaldt (as Younger) might keep that in mind should she direct this play again.

Often the two women talk in unison about an observation of their family or their mother. If they talk individually if’s as if each woman is in a daze or at a distance from being present and aware.  There is a jealousy between the girls—the mother preferred one over the other—but both are united in wanting to kill their mother. Because they are the only characters it’s hard to say if they are the result more of societal neglect or family neglect. We don’t hear any other voice other than their own or reference to any other influence. The play needs a catalyst that gets that idea in place. At present there is only the two young women and they appear to be mentally challenged. Is that the intention? It’s hard to tell in this present form. Frustrating.

Comment. Yes with The Bathtub Girls there are many similarities to Mouthpiece that took place in an actual bathtub and the two actresses who played it: Amy Nostbakken and Norah Sadava, wore white bathing suits and often talked in unison or one after the other.  The difference is that Mouthpiece is a compelling piece of theatre about a psychologically difficult dilemma and The Bathtub Girls is still a fringe show in need of more scrutiny to fill in the missing information and clarify a confusing and muddled story.

The program offers the following note: “This is a story of marginalized young women. It is culturally necessary that we uplift the stories and needs of young people; it is our responsibility to help them cultivate tools for their future. The Bathtub Girls is an effort to wake people to this necessity. The events of the story take place in part due to neglect and complacency from the girls’ community. Our play exemplifies the consequences of ignoring young people in their times of need.”

Sorry, but the play in its present form says nothing of the sort. It does not illustrate that the events take place in part due to neglect and complacency from the girls’ community.” The intentions are honourable. Now please re-work, rewrite your play so that it in fact exemplifies what you intend, rather than having to read a program note to find out what you intended but didn’t realize.

Produced by KAIROS Theatre presents:

Opened: May 21, 2019.

Closes: June 1, 2019.

Running Time: 70 minutes.

www.kairostheatrecollective.com