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7 Stories is Morris Panych’s single act comedy that hinges on a nondescript nameless man undergoing an existential crisis of self, perched precariously on the narrow ledge of an apartment building, contemplating on making an impression on the concrete sidewalk seven stories below. He encounters an oddball group of condo denizens, who far from becoming concerned about his suicidal mission; manage to drag him into their own pathetic lives.

Our ledge-walker first meets Charlotte and Rodney (Alexandra Joyce and Malcolm Masters) a capricious couple who take malicious satisfaction in each other’s malaise. They drag him into their extra-marital strife, then hand him a martini. His purpose is further interrupted by Marshall (Sam Angus) a faux groom who joins him on the ledge for a leisurely smoke, a sleep-obsessed psychiatrist (Michael Shapiro) who listens only to himself, a religious fanatic (Lindsay Warnock) trying to convince herself of her own convictions, A trio of noisy revellers (Marie Sharp, Jeffrey Pater and Jonathon Woodhall), an narcissistic interior designer and his befuddled client (Ryan Bergen and Erin Mudry) and the misanthropic health care worker (Alex Gullason) who regards the man’s predicament as passé and even encourages him to hurry up and get it over with. He finally gets some empathy from Lillian, a house-bound centenarian, touchingly played by Hannah van Vaseveld who gently persuades him to make a choice on his own terms.

All the young actors display a comedic facility with a remarkable level of maturity. In particular Alex Gullason is coolly laconic as Nurse Wilson and Michael Shapiro is delightfully over-the-top as Leonard the paranoid narcoleptic. Though, I felt his scene is somewhat over-extended.

But the play’s success depends largely on Corey Haas’ impressively understated performance as ‘the Man’ (on the ledge) who bears a remarkable likeness to surrealist artist René Magritte in his iconic self portrait. Haas, who spends the entire length of the show dangling at the precipice, effectively plays “straight man” to all the other kooky characters.

Craig Alfredson’s uncanny set design of a distorted, monolithic, single-coloured edifice with its undulating ledge and Barbara Gregusova’s vibrant clothing fit perfectly with director Dawn Moore’s surreal vision. The production valuesof this show compare favourably with professional theatre standards, although, patrons might have to ignore the highly visible harness fastened to Cory Hass.

Accepting the wit in this play can be subjective, there were occasions I that found myself chuckling on my own. Other instances, when sections of the audience were laughing out loud, I found the moment sobering. Like many of Panych’s plays, you probably won’t leave the theatre any more elucidated than when you entered, but at the very least, you'll have had a good time.

© 2011 John Jane

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A Conversation with the director Dawn Moore

Vancouver, despite its size, can boast a wealth of theatrical talent in both performance and production areas. At least part of the credit for this should go to programmes like Acting for Stage & Screen and Musical Theatre and their subordinate production arm run by Capilano University in North Vancouver.

Director Dawn Moore kicked off rehearsals for 7 Stories, the first presentation of the new season by EXIT22, shortly after the start of the new term in early September. Student actors must fit in a busy rehearsal schedule in addition to their regular course load.

I met with Professor Moore at a North Vancouver coffee shop just a few kilometres from Capilano University where 7 Stories will open on the 19th October in the recently renamed North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts. She had with her a heavy binder, complete with bookmarks and folder tags that contained the script and formal notes for the entire production.

Dawn has been called upon to direct the first EXIT22 production in a series of four live theatre, which she has done for the last few seasons. Some of her previous successful undertakings have included last season’s Noises Off by Michael Frayn, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. She disclosed that the EXIT22 mounting of 7 Stories is set in roughly present time in downtown Vancouver and stage and costume designs will have more of a surrealist look and feel. Otherwise, it manages to retain much of the quirky originality of Morris Panych’s original 1989 play.

Dawn has guided many of Capilano University’s aspiring actors through some pretty ambitious projects and has seen many of her former students carve out successful acting careers after graduating from the programme. She still maintains contact with several who are still active in theatre through Facebook.TM

Who should we look out for in 7 Stories? Dawn has confidence in all of her students being able to turn in solid performances, but believes that audiences will be particularly impressed with Corey Haas who takes on the central role of “The man on the ledge.”

When I asked which plays she would favour directing in future seasons, I was surprised by her response. Her first choice was Frozen by Bryony Lavery about pedophile serial killings, but she admitted that it’s hardly a play to make you forget your troubles. She would also like to direct Eclipsed, though conceded that it might not be suitable for a student production; while it may offer plenty of scope for women but gives male actors short schrift.

Aside from being a busy teacher at Capilano University, Dawn is also a wife and mother to three adult children; her husband Paddy works in media communications, Kieron and Kelsey have careers in law and Kaitlyn works for the Whitecaps soccer organization.

EXIT22’s presentation of 7 Stories will run 19 – 22 October, 2011 @ 8pm (+ 2pm matinee on 22 October) | North Shore Credit Union Centre for the Performing Arts (Capilano U.)

© 2011 John Jane

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