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by Owen McCafferty, directed by Rod Ceballos

Fly on the Wall Theatre Co., Toronto Fringe Festival, St. Vladimir’s Theatre, Toronto

July 4-13, 2013

David Mackett is absolutely riveting as the drunken Kevin Toner in the Toronto premiere of this solo play from 2005 by Northern Irish writer Owen McCafferty. After a 15-year absence, he returns to Belfast for his father's funeral. There, with his father in a coffin and empty chairs representing the mother who abandoned them and his own wife who left him, he enacts an imaginary family reconciliation. Gradually, Kevin's effort to create something from nothing takes its toll.

Comedy chillingly gives way to tragedy as we realize the devastation he has suffered in a life totally devoid of love.  

              

©Christopher Hoile

Note: A version of this review appeared in NOW Magazine 2013-07-11.

Photo: David Mackett.  ©2013 Richard Van Dine.

For tickets, visit http://fringetoronto.com.