Sextet

The Cast of Sextet by Morris Panych. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann.

Canadian playwright/director Morris Panych's latest offering is an entertaining and witty look at the trappings of desire. Now playing at Tarragon Theatre, Sextet tells the story of six musicians stranded by a blizzard in a hotel with only their instruments, each other and their secrets to keep them warm. 

Ken MacDonald's modern, functional set provides the perfect, compartmentalized backdrop for secrets to unfold: namely, a love triangle involving the closeted gay first cellist Harry (Damien Atkins), who is smitten with the handsome, self-absorbed Dirk (Matthew Edison), who in turn has a thing for Harry's feminist friend Sylvia (Laura Condlln). But, of course, Sylvia is actually in love with Harry which results in unrequited passion all around. At the same time, in a different room, we learn that married violinists Mavis (Rebecca Northan) and Gerard (Bruce Dow) are having issues in their open relationship, and the obsessive viola player Otto (Jordan Pettle) is convinced he is the man to rescue Mavis from a life of moral ambiguity.

Featuring a top-notch cast, Panych's production is fast-paced, funny and full of poignant insights into the human experience—particularly memorable is the climax where the sextet perform Transfigured Night by Schoenberg, demonstrating the transcendental power of music with brilliant clarity. Atkins' Harry is the irreverent heart and soul of this piece, bringing all of the characters' stories together through his own unique and vulnerable perspective.

Don't miss this though-provoking theatrical treat. Sextet runs until December 14 at Tarragon Theatre. Visit tarragontheatre.com for more information and to buy tickets.

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