Toronto Review: 'This Was the World' at Tarragon Theatre
Dave Rabjohn, Associate Toronto Critic
Playwright Ellie Moon weaves her audience into a world of academia, privilege, colonial status and shifting sands that drastically alter what once was bedrock. ‘This Was the World’ explores both the need for societal change and the terrifying consequences it can sometimes manifest. This exploration relies on two basic theatrical elements – tenacious writing and bold acting. These were the strengths of this production.
This play does draw on some star power as long time Canadian luminary, R.H. Thomson, delivers a powerful performance as a Canadian professor of constitutional law, John, who recognizes that the ivory tower institutions cannot stand. But his resistance to institutional change, as soft as it might appear, and his naïve blindness to its violent consequences tears his world apart. Mr. Thomson’s halting speech and defensive posturing suggest his dread of academic interruption. Upset with administration’s new hire, John launches a protest that initiates a spiral of catastrophic events that grips his daughter, Ava, and other students. One of those students, Niimi, subtly pushes boundaries as she pokes at the old colonial institutions. Tanya, awkwardly a student of John’s and a friend of daughter Ava, is also bulled into this conflict as she becomes a very reluctant mediator between John and the forces of change he resists. Accusations, both bitter and subtle, crescendo in unexpected ways until John’s career is over.
Star power aside, this cast is lead by the searing work of Rachel VanDuzer as daughter Ava. The only non-academic in the story, Ms. VanDuzer must distinguish herself as an innocent casualty. Child-like faces screwed up to pretend naivete belie her strength in supporting her father. She is a great listener as she grapples with fear that her father is using her as lecture material. Various ticks in her movement underscore a growing anger. A final scene of tribulation in an Uber has Ava explode in rage and then slowly drift into dismay – Ms. VanDuzer’s emotional range is on full display.
Dakota Ray Hebert plays a student caught in the crossfire with exquisite restraint. She understands the size of the conflict against status and privilege and she just wants to move on – but John’s recalcitrance pushes her. Sitting in the audience as lecture hall, she slowly moves into rapid fire emasculation of the professor. Brittany Kay, as Tanya, also plays Ava’s friend with delicacy as she understands both Ava’s weaknesses and the awkwardness as her father’s student. She finally loses her restraint in the intensity of the Uber scene.
Ms. Moon’s writing becomes electrifying with John’s unmitigated breakdown. Early in the play, John converses with Ava while watching a hockey telecast – suggesting a relaxing evening. Later, with his growing despair and anger, the telecast suddenly grows in size focusing on a violent fight scene that almost enmeshes John himself as he symbolically tears away his clothes – Lear like, attempting to strip himself of his earthly woes. The frightening Uber scene is a matching Miltonian descent. These unexpected extremes lift the play to a new edge in this exploration of the consequences of a new order.
This Was the World casts a wide philosophic net. Should the law adapt – what is too much P.C. – should institutions be built to protect students from discomfort? In our age of the me too movement, aboriginal reconciliation, and partisan extremes, Ellie Moon has boldly probed these expansive issues. An exceptional cast was her perfect partner.
Photo of Rachel VanDuzer by Cylla von Tiedemann.
This Was the World by Ellie Moon
Produced by Tarragon Theatre – Toronto
Cast: Dakota Ray Hebert – Niimi; Brittany Kay – Tanya; Kim Nelson – Terry; R.H. Thomson – John; Rachel VanDuzer – Ava
Production: Richard Rose – Director; Michelle Tracey – Set, Costume design; Andre du Toit – Lighting design
Runs through – March 1, 2020. Tickets at tarragontheatre.com