Reviews 2005
Reviews 2005
✭✭✭✭✩
by George F. Walker, directed by Ken Gass
Factory Theatre, Factory Theatre Mainspace, Toronto
May 18-June 19, 2005
End of Civilization has now joined Adult Entertainment, a companion play from George F. Walker’s Suburban Motel series, in repertory at Factory Theatre. While it lacks the tight, cohesive structure of Adult Entertainment, the new production features powerhouse performances from the entire cast. Anyone who sees one will not want to miss the other.
Max (Ron White) and Danny (David Ferris), the two crooked cops from Adult Entertainment reappear, seemingly at some time before the major meltdown in their lives shown in that play. They are investigating Henry (Dennis O’Connor), a recently unemployed man who has applied for jobs at three places where murders have subsequently occurred.
Brenda Bazinet is outstanding as Henry’s wife Lily, a woman who only gradually realizes the full horror of her situation, that all she has hoped for is lost and that she no longer knows the man she is married to. O’Connor is truly frightening as a delusional man whose pent-up anger could make him explode at any moment. White and Ferris are excellent again as the cynical cop/seriously disturbed cop duo. Jody Stevens plays the smart prostitute next door without the clichés. Despite the play’s crazy-quilt time structure director Ken Gass maintains the action’s nightmarish clarity.
©Christopher Hoile
Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2005-05-26.
Photo: Dennis O’Connor and Brenda Bazinet. ©2005
2005-05-26
End of Civilization