Fighting Chance Productions

Autobahn

Dates 24 May - 2 June 2007 Venue Beaumont Studios

Reviewer Ed Farolan


Autobahn is a collection of short dialogues, sometimes monologues, of couples sitting in a car and simply conversing in the front seat of automobiles. Written by critically acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Neil LaBute (The Shape of Things, In The Company of Men, Your Friends and Neighbours) the play offers an honest peek at things said and unsaid – from behind the steering wheel.

In his notes, director Ryan Mooney says about the play: " The situations are not always pretty -- and the people can be far from likeable ... the fact is that these are people and you might see a bit of yourself in one or two of them."

In fact, I did see myself, my daughter, son and even my wife in some of these extraordinarily interesting characters of LaBute. I was sitting right onstage, as the seats were all sold out, and Ryan had to put extra chairs there. I was also observing the audience, and I could see that they were intently listening and enjoying the 1 June performance.

Ryan said that there were around 70 actors who tried out for the 14 roles, and I did comment to him that he chose the right actors for the right parts. This is an actor's play, and the actors did deliver. All are seasoned actors and their names are familiar to most of us in the theatre scene here in Vancouver: Jessica McBride, Stephan Bohemier, Rebecca Steele, David Benedict Brown, Ashley Rutherford, Sarah Arnold, Robyn Katrenicz, Scott McGrath, Calvin Lee, Dana Salmon, Nicole Fairbairn, Matthew Clarke, and Mark Ferns.

A CTC and OVATION Award nominated director, Ryan Mooney has directed a number of shows: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Flower Drum Song, The Mikado, Little Shop of Horrors and David and Lisa. He has directed around town for Metro Theatre, the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, APPLAUSE! Musicals Society, the G&S Society of UBC and the Fraser Valley G&S Society. On stage he has appeared with Uncle Randy Productions, Footlight Theatre, Metro Theatre and North Shore Light Opera Society.

I envision this young talented director and actor, a graduate of the Canadian College of Performing Arts, to be the next Bill Millerd in a few years to come.

.© 2007 Ed Farolan