reviewvancouver: The Goodnight Bird

The Goodnight Bird opened tonight at the Kay Meek Centre with much anticipation. A small stage, the Kay Meek Centre offers an opportunity for theatre goers to experience intimate theatre. The Goodnight Bird has a very strong cast which was more than able to carry off the demanding script and fast paced dialogue. The teamwork of these three actors was a privilege to watch.

Nicola Cavendish as Lily, Christopher Hunt as her husband, Morgan and Graham Cuthbertson as the unwanted night time visitor gave us a glimpse into the world of misplaced dreams, unfulfilled desires and the disappointment’s that life deals out as we travel along its path.

We are first introduced to Lily and Morgan, a couple entering into their golden years, as they prepare to settle down for the night. Morgan is tucked in but Lily is not in sight. Lily enters the play as a voice from the bathroom, a voice of admonition and criticism that comes to us from behind a closed door. On reflection, at the close of the play, it is symbolic of the troubles in their long relationship. A foreshadowing of what will be revealed about this couple as the play unfolds.

This couple is closed off from each other, keeping life’s disappointments to themselves. It takes a “goodnight bird” to intrude into their dulled reality to awaken what it was they first saw in themselves and to reignite a sense of hope for their future. When Parker, a homeless man, crashes into their bedroom the message the play is meant to impart slowly begins to reveal itself. Through Lily, Morgan and Parker we are faced with the many stereotypes so prevalent in our society. We are brought uncomfortably close to the blanket of safety and security that surrounds some in society but not all.

This play is relevant to today’s society by the questions it asks the theatre goer to contemplate. Value in the life we have led, regrets, miscommunication with those closest to us and compassion for those less fortunate are all poignant matters in our society. A stranger comes into the lives of Lily and Morgan, upsetting the still surface of their lives. Parker makes them look below the surface again and acts as a catalyst to their reconnection with each other.

The staging and costumes designed by Pam Johnson, lighting design by Luc Prairie and sound design by Nico Rhodes contribute to the flow of the piece. Their designs asked the audience to look beyond what was visible which worked well with the format of the writing.

The Goodnight Bird is a lesson in the importance of remaining in touch with ourselves. It is wrapped up in dialogue that is very funny and extremely entertaining.