Live and in person at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ont. Until May 7, 2022.
Written by Keith Barker
Directed by Mary Francis Moore
Set and costumes designed by Jackie Chau
Lighting designed by Jareth Li
Sound designed by Sergey Kublanovskiy
Cast: Cherish Violet Blood
Ryan Cunningham
Cheri Maracle
Damn COVID! The Hours That Remain, Keith Barker’s compelling play of hope and loss, was supposed to open at Theatre Aquarius last week. Then COVID struck and the opening was postponed to today and then postponed again to Friday, April 29. Today, Tuesday, April 26 was in fact the first preview. One must never, ever, review the first preview, ever. The production is still finding its way and connecting with an audience.
So I am not reviewing this first preview. I’m just commenting on this compelling story. Denise has been investigating the disappearance of her sister Michelle for the last five years. She will not allow her sister to be another statistic of missing Indigenous women and girls. We learn from Denise’s partner Daniel that she has been struggling with visions of her sister. Gradually we learn what happened.
The cast of Cherish Violet Blood as Michelle, Cheri Maracle as Denise and Ryan Cunningham as Daniel are each engaging in their own way. The story is hard hitting and moving. Bravo to director Mary Francis Moore for bringing this play to Hamilton and welcoming the city’s multi-cultural communities to the theatre.
Theatre Aquarius in association with New Harlem Productions.
Plays until May 7, 2022.
Running time, 70 minutes (no intermission)
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Mar Francis is the best artistic leader for Hamilton. She’s waking up theatre Aquarius and the city with relevant and entertaining programming.