BWW Reviews: RANDOM is Rapid Fire

By: Mar. 25, 2015
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A woman sits on a lone wooden chair center stage, lit by a single spotlight. She is mother, father, daughter and son. This is debbie tucker green's random, a one-woman show that is both captivating and immersive.

Written by debbie tucker green, winner of a BAFTA award for its 2012 adaptation to the screen, the script is both a social commentary and an emotional exploration.

The Black Theatre Workshop/Imago Theatre co-production is simplistic in its presentation. A mirrored ceiling hangs low over the stage making the black box space feel even more intimate.

Lucinda Davis is in her element switching between multiple characters with ease and speed. Her portrayal of each member of the family throughout the course of one fateful day is carefully crafted and compelling to watch.

While random engages with darker themes, it still manages to balance the dramatic with the comedic. The show runs just over an hour without intermission and succeeds at maintaining solid energy and pacing from beginning to end.

The show is underscored with an eerie quality, reflected in both the lighting and sound design. There is a sense of foreboding as chimes and distant rustles play beneath the rapid fire monologue. The simple set, consisting of a chair and a smattering of glaring clock faces, acts as basic framing for Davis' spirited performance.

The play's appeal is deeply rooted in the thoughtful realization of character, each with their individual own body language, personality and voice. The family dynamic is achingly real, as they tease, nag and joke with one another even in the face of tragedy.

random runs at the MAI Centre until April 4. Regular tickets are $25. Students and senior tickets are $20.


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