An exercise in storytelling – SEVEN at City Park
Working with little more than a shoestring and their lines in City Park, a collective of Kingston’s theatre community have brought their project to fruition after months of meeting, reading, and planning together in the virtual world forced upon us by the pandemic.
SEVEN, written by Ned Dickens, is exposition-heavy and the text is dense, so there is inherently much to listen to while there’s not a lot to watch. For the cast, it’s primarily an exercise in storytelling – and there’s a lot of story, recapping a full seven play cycle and the complete history of Thebes. For this same reason, it is an exercise in patience and imaginative listening for the audience.
To those who can access and appreciate the rich lyrical language, and visualize each of the tales told, there is a nice payoff. On the other hand, those looking for more in the way of activity and action, who have come to watch a narrative unfold, may be left wanting. Staged with brief occasions of dance, stylized intimacy, and fighting, the company has attempted to bring a physical dynamic to the piece, but ultimately, it is a series of campfire stories being told in an attempt to solidify and pass on the legacy of the City of Wine.
Of course, there is the real time predicament of the seven Thebans who are trying to breathe eternal life into the history of their home, adding some framework of immediacy and action to the piece. There are some compelling elements worked into their perceived final night together – though, again, they tend to be conceptual and philosophical, expressed through words more than in enterprise.
That said, there truly is much to consider. “Staring at the end of everything – imagine it!” How would your circle choose to spend their final hours, and what true sentiments and priorities might surface, individually or collectively, knowing that the end of your story has come? What does it mean to “fill your cup”?
A natural and expressive storyteller, Michael Bullett excels in bringing Dickens’ words to life, especially in his short turn portraying Bacchus. Zorba Dravillas attempts to do the same, but lacks the same precision and control in his delivery. Ben Hudson’s performance is relatively flat, but he does make the most of a few one-liners and comedic takes. To be sure, the critical heart and passion in this production are found in the portrayals of the women. The sympathy garnered by Madeleine Smith, the fierce fire and struggle in Sue Del Mei’s characterization, the mischievous yet loving spirit of Alison J Palmer, and the emotional investment of young Meg Gibson all demand the audience’s full attention and genuine concern.
It is suggested by one of the Thebans in SEVEN that “ideas live”, and that firm belief is the basis of a play that focuses on giving voice to ideas over staging a narrative. The foundation of this City of Wine is the flow of its verse and the depth of its thought. How well it holds up may appropriately be a matter of personal taste.
‘SEVEN’, the last play in the ‘City of Wine’ cycle, is running from August 10-15 at 8pm at either City Park or Douglas Fluhrer Park. Tickets are Pay What You Can and event details are here. Catch more of Will Britton’s writing at Kingston Theatre Reviews.AUGUST 15, 2021