Front Row Centre reviews SYLVIA

In the interest of full disclosure I have to state up front that I love cats. I hate CATS the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but I like the furry four-legged kind.

 

Now, Encore Entertainment opens their production of the A.R. Gurney play SYLVIA, a play written with dog-lovers in mind that proves to be quite enjoyable.  The title character is a stray dog, adopted by Greg, much to the chagrin of his wife, Kate.

 

The play had a successful New York run in 1995 with Sarah Jessica Parker playing the lead. Since then it has been a popular attraction with community theatres.

The first act sets up the basic premise: Sylvia talks with Greg and Kate but uses the physical mannerisms of a dog. Those who insist theatre remain grounded in reality are free to assume that Sylvia is speaking the thoughts her new owners project. Or, you can just accept that fact that Sylvia talks. It really doesn't matter because the play turns out to be a wonderful odyssey either way.

 

The first half is pleasant enough but the only real tension develops over whether Kate will have her way and force Greg to get rid of Sylvia. She has good reason to mistrust Sylvia. Greg's conversations with the dog are deep and meaningful, contrasting with his empty, inattentive talks with Kate.

 

In Act Two the couple visit a marriage counsellor (a hilarious turn by A.Jablonicky) and suddenly a play that up until this point had been a mild comedy explodes with great comic invention.

 

In a complete contrast, the most touching and moving scene follows this. Nothing in Act One quite prepares you for the emotional roller coaster that is Act Two.

 

The cast here has been well chosen. George Komorowski as George plays up a range of emotions. His conversations with Sylvia reveal much about his relationships with his wife and his boss and his general state of mind. It's a perfect balance between the performer, and the playwright.

 

Marisa King has a trickier role as Kate. Kate doesn't like Sylvia from the first bark. King manages to keep the character sympathetic and totally understandable.

 

In the role of Sylvia, Jenn Worsnop is full f kibble and bits. Her performance enlivens the play every time she is on stage, and even when she is not on, you find yourself eagerly anticipating her next appearance. She embodies all the mannerisms of a dog, but plays with grace and affinity.

 

I get the impression the entire cast is made of dog lovers. Their performances are so enjoyable they almost … almost … convert a cat lover like myself.

 

 

SYLVIA continues at the Studio Theatre at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street until Sunday November 5. Evening performances are at 8 PM with a 2 PM matinee on Sunday. Tickets are $26-$27.50 and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 416–733-0558.

 

Theatre Review by Mark Andrew Lawrence, Front Row Centre

 

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