Preview
MEN WITHOUT LIPS
THEATREboom
Starring Christy Green, Evan Rothery and Joel Smith
Written by Jason Patrick Rothery
Directed by Trevor Leigh
Runs until November 29
Dancers’ Studio West
Ah, love. William Shakespeare once wrote, "The sight of lovers feedeth those in love." On a very different subject, British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking said, "Disorder increases with time because we measure time in the direction in which disorder increases."
With the technology we now possess and the scientific explanations we have for nearly everything, it would seem there are few mysteries left – even when it comes to matters of the universe and the heart.
Which brings us to THEATREboom and its new show, Jason Patrick Rothery’s Men Without Lips – an absurdist love triangle set to the backdrop of Stephen Hawking’s theories.
According to actor and company member Joel Smith, "This is a love story for a generation that knows far too much."
Men Without Lips is, on one level, a classic three-sided love affair involving a poet named Lilly (Christy Green), an astronaut named Monroe (Smith) and a criminal named Dewey (Evan Rothery). On another level, however, the three also represent Hawking’s theories, with Monroe and Lilly as particles and Dewey as a black hole.
"The story itself is a beautifully simple romantic comedy," says Smith. "Thematically, however, the piece operates on some unusual levels, (involving) things like the line between love and hate, and the theories of quantum mechanics and whether their logic can be placed on love and relationships."
Smith believes the play is another step forward for the company. "I feel this may be the most interesting work that THEATREboom has done so far."
In a parallel universe, the young troupe would no doubt have been just as ambitious. It was started by Smith, Evan Rothery (playwright Jason’s brother), Patrick MacEachern and Mitch Craib, who are alumni from the Mount Royal College theatre program and Shakespeare in the Park. The company debuted earlier this year, performing at One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo in the Mutton Busting showcase and 10-Minute Play Festival, and at Theatre Junction’s Random Acts Festival.
In May, the hit show Wedgie, also by Jason Patrick Rothery, marked the company’s first full-scale production. It was quickly followed by Do You Bite Your Thumb at Me, Sir?, a compilation of Shakespearean fight scenes presented at Shakespeare in the Park.
For this production, the company has invited a more experienced artist, Trevor Leigh, to direct. Although he’s been acting professionally in Calgary for over a decade, Leigh says Men Without Lips is the first time he’s directed a full-length play.
He believes that, thanks to its scientific background, THEATREboom’s comedy has something more to say than the average love story. At the same time, he adds, "It’s also a good date play." |
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