Art imitates life

There are two things in life people hate – taxes and funerals. Not only are funerals sombre affairs, but as in The Gift premiering tomorrow night for a 10-day run, they are heightened affairs that pull people together or rip them apart.

Two Edmonton thespians Jeff Page and Collin Doyle share writing credits of the original script based loosely on a true story from the former’s past. It seems one of Page’s friends left a mystery gift to be opened after his death.

“The repercussions weren’t anything like the play, but it provided an interesting idea for a play. It opens with an emotional bomb and it doesn’t turn out to be heart-warming,” says Page who also directs the two-act play.

The Gift makes its official debut at the Old Cycle Building between 92nd and 93rd streets on 118 Avenue. The black box theatre space carved out of the 17,000-sq.-ft. building is part of Caught in the Act: the theatre series on 118 Ave., an initiative to revitalize the area and create an artistic hub.

The Gift opens after a funeral with three friends that once shared a special relationship. They are the husband and wife team of Carson (Chris Bullough) and Leah (Lora Brovold), and Bettina (Amber Brovold), the separated wife of their deceased friend Greg.

Once, the foursome had been intimate companions; so close they even blended the lines of morality. Greg, the charismatic group leader was a risk taker always pushing the limits. But he posted a self-made video on YouTube that went viral and destroyed his career, his marriage and alienated his friends.

After the funeral four characters meet, the original three and Bettina’s new boyfriend Shane, played by St. Albert Children’s Theatre alumnus Garrett Ross. “He’s the only person at the gathering that doesn’t know anyone in this high stakes situation. In a way he represents the audience waiting for the train wreck to happen,” says Ross (Nevermore/Maltese Bodkin).

Page describes the work as “a cathartic theatre experience.” He tapped Doyle (The Mighty Carlins) to write the script because of his knack for understanding the struggles of ordinary people.

“My strength is dramatic action and I hate to say this but all great plays are about not getting what you want. That can be devastating or a rebirth. Collin would write these amazing character scenes and I would go through it and reveal the conflict.”

Both proponents of localized theatre, the duo ask some pretty tough questions about love, friendship, faithfulness and of course, the ever intrusive Internet shifting the boundaries of privacy.

Garrett’s easy-going character is the one person in this mess who understands technology. Yet his very presence as the outsider is a catalyst that ratchets up the tension as the deepest secrets are revealed.

“The naturalism and realism make it an interesting piece of theatre. It makes for an honest production, something people can relate to. It makes you feel you are not alone. We tell stories to have kinship with others. Our show is well acted, funny, tragic and a good night of entertainment,”

Tuesday, May 4 is pay-what-you-can.