The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia?

Raquel Duffy and Albert Schultz. Photo: Cylla Von Tiedemann.

Edward Albee's The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia? challenges us to examine what is and is not acceptable in ourselves, in our relationships and in society. Now playing as part of Soulpepper's 2017 lineup, this provocative play about marital infidelity and the devastation of a family is unexpected, funny, clever and deeply disturbing all at once.

Written in the style of a contemporary Greek tragedy, The Goat centres around Martin (Albert Schultz), a well-respected architect who reveals a shocking secret to his best friend and tv producter Ross (Derek Boyes), his wife Stevie (Raquel Duffy) and son Billy (Paolo Santalucia), disrupting their otherwise stable and comfortable lives.

Staged in an hour and 40 minutes with no intermission, Alan Dilworth's taut production keeps the audience hooked as the tension builds to an unforgettable final scene. The show features brilliant performances: Schultz shines in the complicated role of Martin, for whom we feel a mixture of disgust and empathy; Duffy is a force to be reckoned with as his outraged wife Stevie—her reaction is completely believeable despite the absurdity of the situation; Santalucia gives a strong performance as the teenaged Billy, torn over his love for both parents as he comes to terms with his own sexuality, and finally, Boyes is terrific as the judgemental, if hypocritical, family friend.

Delving into the nature of love, desire and human behaviour, Albee's heady script ignites the imagination and leaves us with much to think about—a great choice for anyone seeking stimulating conversation after a night at the theatre. Don't miss it!

The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia? runs until November 18, 2017 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Visit soulpepper.ca for more information and to buy tickets.