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by Daniel Thau-Eleff & Chris Gerrard-Pinker, directed by Chris Gerrard-Pinker

Moving Target Theatre Company, Toronto Fringe Festival, Tarragon Theatre Extra Space, Stratford

July 7-16, 2005

Winnipegger Daniel Thau-Eleff charts his development from being just another “nice Jewish boy” to becoming an activist disillusioned with Israel in the light of its treatment of Palestinians.  Thau-Eleff comes off as an earnest young man unwilling to simplify complex ideological and political problems, but his play seems more like a recited personal essay than a dramatic monologue.  In part, this is because Thau-Eleff doesn’t enter completely into the other characters he imitates.  Also, he seems deliberately to abjure any theatricality that would distract from the real-life origins and serious intent of what he is saying.  What fascinates is the content itself, not its presentation.       

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2005-07-14.

Photo: Daniel Thau-Eleff. ©2005 Moving Target.