Imagine a dreamscape smudging the lines between reality and longing.
Consider hard-edged rules butting against the vagaries of old age. Ponder your perceptions of your parents and their views of you.
That is the complexity of Half Life, an award-winning play by John Mighton. The Courtenay Little Theatre production opened at the Sid Williams Theatre on April 14 and continues until April 23.
Half Life is the story of Clara (Kirsten Humphreys) and Patrick (Bill Walton), residents of a seniors’ home. Clara spends her days drifting in and out of sleep, forgetting and remembering events and people in random sequences. Patrick is a former Second World War code-breaker and alcoholic.
The play is also about Donald (Sidney Pickard), son of Clara, and Anna (Tracey Hill), daughter of Patrick. They have different relationships with their parents and different expectations of how their final stage of life should be lived.
The tension builds as Clara and Patrick’s relationship deepens. Should they be allowed to follow their feelings or should they be separated? Those are the questions Clara and Patrick’s children and the staff of the facility struggle with.
Half Life is not your ordinary production. There are many short scenes instead of several long ones. And the set changes take place in full view of the audience. One minute a dialogue is taking place, the next is filled with surreal music and robotic movements as cast members rearrange the furniture.
The first few times this happened was disconcerting. But then it became apparent that the scene changes create metaphorical mirror images of Clara’s waking/dreaming, lucid/rambling state.
Although her character initially seems innocuous, Clara’s mental state is pivotal to the play. Kirsten Humphreys does an excellent job of portraying Clara’s increasing dementia. Through sensitive nuance, she forges a character that is believable, charming and dignified.
Playwright Mighton is a professor of mathematics and gave Patrick his gift for numbers. It’s this ability that allows Patrick to escape to the liquor store and make a clandestine visit to Clara’s room.
Bill Walton brings a blend of high-level intelligence and roguish charm to his Patrick. The old guy’s got a certain amount of bad boy in him, but you can’t help but like him.
As adult children, Donald and Anna are polar opposites. Donald has some great one-liners and Sidney Pickard imbues his character with a poignant vulnerability. He’s protective of his mom and also of the past as he remembers it.
Tracey Hill as Anna has a more realistic view of her dad. She sees him for the sometimes-troublemaker he is but is grateful for the happiness he’s found late in life.
Darilyn Keene has been a CLT member for many years and I’ve seen her in numerous productions. Her absolute best performance to date is as Rev. Hill. She’s thoughtful, funny and compassionate. And obviously struggling to understand the purpose of life on this earth.
Director Stephen Hill noted that, although the reverend’s role was written for a man, Keene brought a certain quality to the audition that prompted CLT to obtain permission to change the gender.
A small role with a big punch is Alana Gowdy’s Agnes. This feisty senior brings a bit of levity to the play. In action, voice and especially body language, Gowdy’s got her character down pat.
Half Life continues at the Sid this Thursday through Saturday. Tickets, at $18 for adults and $15 for students, are available at the theatre box office.
