Plain truth about beauty

Walterdale Playhouse opens its 53rd season with a new artistic director and a less than usual family-friendly fare.

Sarah Van Tassel, who by the way also directs season launch Reasons to Be Pretty opening tonight, displays no hesitation in her admiration for playwright Neil LaBute’s searing honesty.

Reasons is the final instalment of a trilogy starting with The Shape of Things and Fat Pig that focus on contemporary society’s obsession with physical appearance.

“It’s raw. It looks at despicable characters, but at the same time they could be your brother, a co-worker, a neighbour. They are everyday people and that’s why the play is so successful,” says Van Tassel.

Reasons looks at two blue-collar couples. Greg (Justin Deveau), a warehouse worker, and Steph (Lindsay Walker), a hairdresser. They have been in relationship for four years. But both live dead-end lives.

The catalyst for change arrives when Greg makes an off-hand comment to Kent (Nathan Coppens), a buddy he works with at the warehouse, that Steph is uglier than one of the new employees.

Kent’s wife, Carly (Jessica Peverett), a security guard at the warehouse, relays the comment to Steph. Insecure about her appearance, Steph explodes and walks out on Greg. An extra layer of tension is added after Greg learns Kent is having an affair.

“It’s about how we perceive our own beauty in relation to other people. But it’s mostly about a coming of age story of a man, Greg. He’s seeing life pass him by. He makes a stupid comment and it forces him to examine his life and grow up,” Van Tassel says.

But LaBute was looking at more than our perceptions of skin-deep beauty. He was also putting under a microscope the insecurities many people suffer about not having anything to offer.

“It’s really a very complex play. It’s smart and witty. It’s quick with a lot of entertainment value – just the subject matter is intriguing especially since everyone has his or her own idea of beauty. It’s all about perception,” Van Tassel says.

Since the warehouse workers hold down a night shift, most of the action takes place in the early morning hours. University of Alberta BFA design student Travis Metzger has replicated a grubby lunchroom.

“It’s a grey space and it’s very effective,” van Tassel says.

While the play has a hard, in-your-face vibe, LaBute has softened some of the edges with chuckles.

“It’s a lot of fun. It deals with serious subject matter, but it’s done in a fun way,” van Tassel says. “You’ll definitely laugh, but it will make you think too.”