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This

This is an honest and intelligently funny look at life after 30

By Lauren Gillett • March 21, 2013

Presented by Canadian Stage
Written by Melissa James Gibson
Directed by Matthew Jocelyn

Jonathon Young, Christian Laurin, Laura Condlln and Yanna McIntosh in THIS. Photo by Bruce Zinger.

The Berkeley Street Theatre has been stripped down and restored to its original brick form, sans stage, for the Toronto premiere of Canadian playwright Melissa James Gibson's This, an "unromantic comedy" about a group of 30-something friends confronting the realities of middle age, directed by Canadian Stage artistic director Matthew Jocelyn. With seats from the orchestra and balcony relocated to the front of theatre, set designer Astrid Janson has created a beautifully exposed space where the actors can move freely among the audience, involving us in the action of the storytelling.

Set in New York, This revolves around the life of Jane (Laura Condlln), a widowed single mother and poet struggling to get back on her feet a year after her husband's death. Her friends Marrell (Yanna McIntosh), a jazz singer, and Tom (Jonathon Young), a cabinet maker, try to help while dealing with the emotional demands of looking after a new baby and a crumbling marriage. Meanwhile, Alan (Alon Nashman), Jane's drink-loving gay friend, a professional mnemonist (he has an exceptional ability to remember past conversations), is going through a mid-life crisis of his own.

Moments into the opening scene Gibson introduces a fifth character: Jean-Pierre (Christian Laurin), the French "doctor without borders" that Marrell hopes to set up with Jane. His foreign presence sets off a chain reaction of desire, doubt, infidelity and self-reflection, forcing Jane and her friends to finally see "This" situation for what it really is.

Although the dialogue occasionally feels scripted, Gibson's text is sharply humourous and truthful, aptly recreating moments that most adults will relate to. The cast performs convincingly under Jocelyn's direction, however it is McIntosh's steady performance that ultimately carries the show, while Nashman steals almost every scene as the witty and self-deprecating Alan. This is good theatre indeed.

Catch This until April 13 at the Berkeley Street Theatre. Visit canadianstage.com for more information and to buy tickets.

Show Dates:

Mon, 2013-03-18 - Sat, 2013-04-13

Our rating: