We are giving away a pair of tickets to the Friday, April 3 performance of Take Me Back to Jefferson at the National Arts Centre. To enter email Apartment613 with the subject like “Contest – Take Me Back to Jefferson” by noon Wednesday, April 1. The winner will be picked by random draw and notified on Wednesday afternoon.
Since being founded in 1980, Toronto-based Theatre Smith-Gilmour has wowed audiences across Canada and in several countries around the world with their impressive shows.
The award-winning ensemble is now in Ottawa where they are performing Take Me Back to Jefferson at the National Arts Centre until April 11.
Based on William Faulkner’s novel As I Lay Dying, the play tells the story of the death of Addie Bundren, and her family’s journey to transport her back to her hometown of Jefferson, Mississippi where she wants to be buried. The fateful trip to Jefferson ends up changing the lives of the Bundren family forever.
For me, this is one of the best plays that I have seen in the past two years in Ottawa. To begin with the acting is marvellous. While the entire cast is very strong, Dean Gilmour (Anse Bundren) is fantastic, while Ben Muir (Jewel) is also excellent.
Photo by Katherine Fleitas
In fact, the movements of the performers are so good, and their ability to switch from scene to scene so impressive, this show made me feel like I was watching a movie on stage. On a few occasions, I felt like I was observing a scene through multiple cameras that were able to switch back and forth from one perspective to the other. What was particularly impressive about this is that these transitions were done with an almost bare stage.
This adaptation is also intriguing for being both raw and tech-savvy. The rawness comes from the minimal use of props, which allows the actors to use their own bodies to portray a wide range of actions. Whether it’s riding a horse, being caught in a vicious thunder storm, or making a purchase at a drug store, the action is mimicked by the actors.
The result is not quite mime as the actors speak, but the fantastic use of physical theatre allows the cast to tell the story in an innovative way.
The almost completely bare stage, in contrast, is balanced by a very sophisticated use of lightning and sound. For instance, one scene that takes place under water is captured perfectly thanks in part to a brilliant use of blue light.
Now, I must state that not everyone shares my view of this play. The person who accompanied me to this performance was not as captivated by the physical theatre as me. As such, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people find the actions of the actors to be a bit forced.
As well, this is a play that requires the audience to pay very close attention. If you are not familiar with Faulkner’s novel, or have trouble following the southern U.S. accents used by the actors, then it’s possible you may be lost at times, especially in the first 30 minutes of the play.
That being said, my opinion is that this show is brilliant and I would highly recommend that you to see it.
Take Me Back to Jefferson is playing at the National Afrts Centre until April 11. Tickets start at $25.
