Review of Theatre Orangeville’s latest production: The Bluff | bloginfo(‘name’); ?>
March 23, 2023 0 comments
By Constance Scrafield
The Bluff is a hilarious theatrical romp with an ending that shifts the blame to the last drop. The story keeps the characters on their toes with a steady stream of surprises and shocks that they endure all along the way. This test of characters is now running at the Orangeville Theater through April 2nd.
The set design with its high walls and staircase is fabulous and corresponds to the time of construction decades before the beginning of the story. Beckie Morris, Production Manager at the Theater Orangeville, designed this place that welcomes us, Aurora, and Edwin, her fiancé, to his newly acquired ‘summer home’.
We are located in Northern Ireland. The house, which according to the new owner leaves a lot to be desired, is located on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea. This is an area of fierce and eerie winds and flashing storms, quite unlike the ‘soft’ rains of the south.
Edwin is big business in town, but we’re not sure what kind of business he is, just that it brings in a lot of money – in fact, his purchase of this unlikely home was arranged by his agent at auction.
In the midst of these initial revelations, the front door opens abruptly and a tall, slightly feral young man with a subtle Northern Irish accent stands in the doorway to announce that he is Dylan, her neighbor who lives nearby with his grandma. Edwin and Aurora understood that no one lived near them.
Kristen Da Silva is with us again both as a playwright and in the role of Aurora. Carrying the role with a London (UK) accent, she hustles and bustles with Edwin, who is a moody soul, to say the best, humorous in her quick wit. Aurora is both strong and withered, sometimes at the same time.
Oliver Georgiou does a great job in the role, torn like Edwin by the many mysteries that make this play entertaining. No stranger to the horror/thriller/comedy scene in his career, Mr. Georgiou makes his debut here at the Theater Orangeville, giving us a superb performance of the self-tormented Edwin.
Mary Pitt tells us in the program notes that she’s thrilled to be back at the Theater Orangeville, and we’re equally excited to see her again as Dylan’s grandma. Abrupt and unpredictable, she is very present and funny. Her Irish is spot on, born from her own family background and passion for traveling to the Emerald Isle. Although the play is set in modern times, the house is from a much earlier time and from her costumes, as is Grandma.
Alex Furber is newly welcomed to the main stage here at the Theater Orangeville. He is adorable with his windswept Irishman, a character with hidden attributes and desires. Mr. Furber’s list of accolades includes such contrasts as Murdock Mysteries and the profound experience of Mirvish’s production of War Horse. The differences between Dylan’s collected demeanor in the drama and comedy of Edwin’s Troubles contributes beautifully to the play.
As a playwright, Ms. Da Silva explains in her notes her long-standing fascination with the culture of dark, mysterious, and funny literature, theater, and film. She has been named from Mary Shelley to Stephen King, and this piece, The Bluff, is the product of her lifelong interest in the style. Ms. Da Silva is extremely grateful for the trust and support she has received through Bluff Theater Orangeville’s world-class production, which she has brought to the stage under the artistic direction of David Nairn. Once again he proves the value of Theater Orangeville in hosting Canadian talent.
Always remember that only theater encompasses all types of art – from the visual to the performance to the literary. Any artist can, at one time or another, contribute to the productions that take place on a stage, or throughout their lifetime.
On that note, a tribute to some of the many artists involved in this.
Among them, Rebecca Picherack designed the lighting of the storms, setting nature’s commentary on the action indoors and tracing that action.
Dan Palmieri has once again defined history by accompanying sounds inside and out—the shocks, big and small, that terrify us and make us laugh.
Especially for Mary Pitt, the iron in the story, her dresses raise many questions about her Victorian looks and were designed by Alex Amini.
As the show’s director, David Nairn has deftly gripped the reins, but only as tightly as needed to deliver a well-timed, humorous performance. His directing style is to “avoid the actors”. Yet from time to time this author has seen him in action, his sincerity and his complete belief that the Theater Orangeville will give the best possible version of the play. Let’s remember that this is the world premiere of The Bluff and the production that will define it, “a serious responsibility,” affirms David Nairn.
Then there is an entire creative and technical team, each of whom is essential to delivering and maintaining the very high standards that this and every other Theater Orangeville production can rightly boast of. Be sure to read your program carefully.
The Bluff is a great few hours in “your theater,” as Mr. Nairn is fond of reminding us. For tickets and information visit www.theatreorangeville.ca or call the charming folks at the box office at 519-942-3423. The box office is open at the Opera House at 87 Broadway.