Polygraph
Created by Trip the Light Theatre Collective, Ottawa
Review by Brain Carroll
50-55 min / M / Dance, Play, Physical, Drama / Mature Language, Sexual Content, Violence, Abrupt Loud Noise, Mental Health, Discussions of Substance Use, Depictions of Grooming, Discussions of Sexual Assault, Discussions of CPTSD
If celebrities had to wear polygraph probes during interviews, would they tell the truth? Would it matter?
Polygraph is a two-hander. Sarah Ivanco plays Charlotte, Amber and Sally. Jon Dickey plays Dean, John and Bert.
Charlotte is a television interviewer. Dean is a Hollywood actor rumoured for nominations for a Golden Globe and an Oscar. Dean is coming to a video interview with Charlotte. He has agreed to connect to a polygraph during the interview. Sally is one of Dean’s many young fans that he has met through Twitter and TikTok.
Jon Dicky and Sarah Ivanco in Polygraph. Photo provided.
Amber is a 28-year-old pop star with a burgeoning musical career. John is a late-night television host whose shtick is polygraph interviews of celebrities. Amber has agreed to an interview on John’s show before a live audience. Bert is Amber’s music producer. Bert is a close friend of John’s.
In the Ottawa Fringe program, Polygraph brings a long list of trigger warnings. Do not take these warnings lightly. This is a powerful multi-disciplinary play that often made my skin crawl.
Sarah Ivanco in Polygraph. Photo provided.
For example, there are depictions of grooming sexual victims. The press often asks, “How could she have been so naive? Didn’t she see the red flags?” The depictions in Polygraph provide answers. The approaches are SO subtle. Seem so innocent. They’re open to multiple interpretations. Gradual and practiced. Plus, there’s hero worship. And, of course, drugs and alcohol. Afterwards, my friend with me recalled “the touch” and shuddered.
The depiction of complex post-traumatic stress disorder from sexual assault is equally chilling. It’s portrayed without words or vocalization via interpretive dance, repetitively, as flashbacks. I still see it in my mind’s eye and shiver.
Jon Dicky in Polygraph. Photo provided.
Polygraph is a potent example of the power of live theatre and dance. See it with a friend. Mine and I needed to talk afterwards.
Polygraph is playing at La Nouvelle Scène—Studio A from June 16–23. Tickets are $14 plus service fees at the Fringe box office (3rd floor, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue), and at the two satellite box offices (LabO in the Ottawa Art Gallery and La Nouvelle Scene). Five and ten Show Passes are also available. Visit the Ottawa Fringe Festival’s website for the show’s schedule and check out their online schedule here.
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