✭✭✭✭✩

created and directed by Ronnie Burkett

Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes, Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs, Toronto

April 6-June 24, 2006

Recently master marionettist Ronnie Burkett’s work has dealt with contemporary issues while becoming increasingly complex.  With his newest play, 10 Days on Earth, Burkett achieves the artistic ideal of a simplicity that is also profound.

The story involves Darrel, a mentally challenged adult, whose mother dies one night in her bedroom.  Darrel, used to her silence, continues his routine of going out to shine shoes.  During the day Darrel thinks about his favourite childhood story of the gentleman terrier Honeydog, who searches for a home for him and his duckling friend Little Burp.  A worry, thankfully unfounded, does creep in that Burkett will treat each of Darrel’s uneventful days with same detail, and a needless dread rises as to how Darrel will discover the truth as the tale reaches its bittersweet conclusion. 

It’s clear the delightfully imagined Honeydog story parallels Darrel’s, but is Darrel merely remembering the existing story or is he using it to understand his present situation?  Themes of life, death, fate, existence without God and the function of art subtly intertwine.  As usual, Burkett’s design for the set and marionettes is both witty and beautiful, and his facility for distinguishing scores of specific voices is utterly amazing.  “Simply, simply” is Honeydog’s motto.  10 Days on Earth is simply, simply wonderful.   

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in Eye Weekly 2006-04-13.

Photo: Darrel and Lloyd. ©Trudie Lee.