Review: 'Post Alice' as part of Stratford Ontario's HERE FOR NOW NEW WORKS Festival

For me, it’s exhilarating to watch when actors just ‘know’ and ‘sense’ they have gelled together as a true ensemble of players. I’m sure anyone who has performed in a play can recall those moments where the plot just seemed to click for shows.

This exhilaration was amplified for me personally at the opening night world premiere of Taylor Marie Graham’s ‘Post Alice’.

During my undergraduate years at Western, I read several Alice Munro stories and novels, so I was intrigued to see how her inspiration created four characters from four of her stories.

Here for Now Theatre’s description of ‘Post Alice’s’ plot: “Inspired by four haunting characters from four iconic Alice Munro stories, Post Alice is a stunning new contemporary play which asks the question: what really happened to Mistie Murray? And what happens to all our missing girls? Come sit around the fire with four bright and hilarious Huron County women as ghost stories emerge, songs fill the air, family secrets are revealed, and mysteries unravel into those wonderful contradictions which live inside us all.”

There are a few moments where the ghost story lingers in the air especially when the four girls discuss what happened to their school companion, Mistie Murray, who just disappeared after school band practice and never returned. But there’s more to ‘Post Alice’ than just what happened to Mistie Murray.

Through breaking of the fourth wall periodically throughout the production, four talented ladies speak to the audience and share their thoughts about their lives and their relationship with each other. We meet Belle (Siobhan O’Malley) and learn she has extremely serious underlying health issues after she cuts her finger while whittling. Belle’s sister, Wen (Ellen Denny) has flown in on her own plane to be with her sister. Friends Oneida (Heather Marie Annis) and Edie (Aubree Erickson) have gathered around the campfire with the two sisters to give comfort to Belle.

What initially struck me watching this opening night performance was how very much at ease these four ladies appeared in telling this rather mysterious story that ties up nicely at the end. I recall a line from the performance that I wrote down because it resonated with me:

“Alice Munro’s characters give courage for existing.”

I don’t want to spoil any plot elements, but each of these skilled artists deliver nuanced performances that are highly expressive of humane emotions and hurts that bubble to the surface as they recall what happened at a party when they were teens. I found the ladies’ work in the unfolding of their stories most courageous on their part. Another courageous element are the references to missing and lost girls which made me think deeply about the missing and murdered Indigenous girls and women.  Powerful, powerful, and courageous.

I must acknowledge uber credit to Mark Payne, music composer. The harmonized singing is profoundly moving and deeply haunting for me. As I write this column, I can still recall the looks on each of the actors’ faces. Absolutely breathtaking.

Final Comments: ‘Post Alice’ is one of those plays that needs to be discussed later to see how others responded to such fine work. Outstanding and true ensemble work.

The Here for Now Festival continues to shine.

Logo taken from the Here for Now website.

‘Post Alice’ runs to August 15. For tickets, please visit www.herefornowtheatre.com.

Warning: There is mature subject matter, swearing and use of herbal cigarettes in the performance.

‘Post Alice’ by Taylor Marie Graham

Directed by Fiona Mongillo

Costumes by Monique Lund

Composer: Mark Payne

Performers: Heather Marie Annis, Ellen Denny, Aubree Erickson, Siobhan O’Malley