At the Berkeley Street Theatre, Downstairs, Toronto, Ont.
Written by Guillaume Corbeil
Translated by Steven McCarthy
Directed by Claude Poissant
Set by Max-Otto Fauteux
Lighting by Martin Labrecque
Music by Nicolas Basque
Wardrobe by Philippe Masse
Cast: Laurence Dauphinais
Steffo Didomenicantonio
Tara Nicodemo
Nico Racicot
Alex Weiner.
This is an astonishing, challenging piece of theatre.
It’s about the affect that social media has on five friends.
From the press release: “Five Faces for Evelyn Frost examines how social media transforms human relationships while challenging the notions of authenticity and truth.”
In this day and age of “fake news” this play is timely to say the least.
Again from the press release: “Meticulously crafting their lives around their social networks, five friends vie to increase their online status and worth, always pushing each other towards the extreme, carelessly flirting with indecency and the irreparable.”
Over time it seems as if they are each trying to one up each other even when they look as if they are socially responsible with causes etc, and that makes sense because everything is put on their Facebook pages, Instagram and any other social media platform that will increase their profile.
I think writer Guillaume Corbeil is hugely talented (translated by Steven McCarthy—himself a musician and actor.) Corbeil’s breadth of knowledge of literature, theatre both here and in Europe, music, the arts, culture, nature etc. is prodigious.
I love how I’m not sure if these characters have any sense of judgement about the quality of the books, art, theatre, music etc. they like. I love how I question their moral character when they spend time protesting and demonstrating—are they sincere?
The playwright makes me wonder and ask. It’s refreshing to hear a new voice from Quebec and here it’s from the playwright and the director. This is a compelling piece of theatre for those who like a challenge, to be engaged and shaken.
Produced by Canadian Stage and Théâtre Français de Toronto
www.canadianstage.com
Full review shortly.