‘7 Stories’: A Clever Canadian Comedy Close to Home
Content warning: This review and show discusses the topic of suicide. Telephone Aid Line Kingston has representatives trained to provide support and resources to those in Kingston and the surrounding area.
A dark comedy, Morris Panych’s 7 Stories follows an unnamed protagonist, Man (Aaron Manier), as he prepares to jump from the seventh floor of his apartment building. However, his various eccentric neighbours interrupt him with stories from their own chaotic, comedic lives in ways that are often metatheatrical, leaving audiences to reconsider what we perceive as performance. Panych’s commentary is embedded into the humour of the play, in a way that may go undetected. It’s etched into each character’s incorporation of how they are perceived or the way they perceive others, tying into the ultimate idea that performances as we know them are more frequent than we may believe.
A fun, immersive bit prior to the show beginning is Director Michelle McNichol’s choice to have the police officers (Amy Reid and Michelle Freedman) wander the lobby of Domino Theatre, handing out playbills and interacting with audience members. Furthermore, instead of a pre-recorded audio cue or live message from the booth, Reid and Freedman provide a land acknowledgement and pre-show announcements from the front of the stage. Incorporated are fun interjections from cast members who remind audiences to quiet their phones and that the play does not have an intermission. This was a lovely way to kick off the comedy, and get a closer glimpse into the characters and world of the show.
As well, peering at the stage, it is impossible to not mention the incredible set design by Wayne Orr, alongside McNichol. The two story set, complete with scaffolding for actors to stand and walk around on throughout the show, is an impressive feat. Colourful curtains that match the persona of the characters living behind each window are utilized well. As audiences enter the theatre, lights (designed by Mya Steenbakkers) cast actors’ silhouettes on the curtains as each apartment dweller goes about their daily life. The environment is familiar, and takes place on Church Street itself, with Man’s apartment building looking like a limestone one you would see on a walk through Kingston’s downtown centre. These fun design details and meta environment really bring the show to life, and make for a local twist on a classic.
Although some comedic performances are a bit inconsistent, there are moments of immense fun within the show. Len Hicks is frantically funny as Leonard, a paranoid psychologist who shares many back and forths with Man. Marshall (Jarret Hains), a failed actor moments away from marrying a rich heiress who believes him to be someone else, drifts back and forth between showing his true and false self to Man. Hains navigates the frequent shifts in accents and comedic timing of the character well through scenes.
Jennifer (Manon Chaillou), Percy (Apollo Magus), and Al (Christian Milanovic) provide a look into the hippy, carefree atmosphere within their apartment, each finding success in their cartoonish character choices. Milanovic is particularly hilarious as Al, making the most of his role to garner strong responses from the audience. Elaine Hornsby as Rachel has some incredibly funny moments in the character’s satirization of religion, as she makes her own “miracles” for the tenants below her.
Hayley Scanlan is fantastic as Lillian, Man’s 100 year old neighbour who has not left her apartment in 50 years. Scanlan does an excellent job balancing the character’s comedic and confused personality, while also providing Man, and by extension the audience, thoughtful insights into the many unexpected, wonderful opportunities life can bring him, a realization that marks a turning point in the play.
However, the show’s use of AI was a primary source of disappointment for me: although the moment in the show is short-lived and garnered some laughs from the audience, my aversion for the use of AI within artistic spaces left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I couldn’t help but wonder why such a talented design and creative team, who tackled many of this play’s other technical concerns in a unique and successful manner, would take an unimaginative route for a few seconds of humour.
Overall, 7 Stories is another hit from Domino Theatre; although the jokes may not always land, there are strong performances and design choices throughout, and it is a distinct take on a Canadian favourite.
‘7 Stories’ is presented by Domino Theatre and runs until September 27th, 2025. Tickets and more information can be found here.
