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Local Guides
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STOP KISS
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by
Katie Penrose
January 24 - 30, 2008 |
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Sometimes a good friend begins to feel like more than just a
friend. And it’s not a sex thing, sex need not come into it. I’m
talking about falling in love with a friend. Granted, it can’t be
someone you’re physically offended by. Sex crosses the mind, but
that’s taken as a given. It’s not about that. It’s about the real love
that grows when your relationship lacks the complications of
monogamous romantic love. No jealousy. No fights over doing
the dishes. It’s beautiful. And if you can build from that intense
friendship–love by having a mutual realization of romantic desire,
you can add in that stuff like jealousy and fights over doing the
dishes, and what you end up with is a sort of ultimate
amalgamation; two wonderful worlds combined.
Stop Kiss is Black Box Fire’s current production, about two
friends–turned–lovers who face terrible circumstances. The play
unfolds as the story flips from past to present, carefully revealing
itself entirely. Stylistically it has great joy; written by someone
who loves life and has a great sense of humour. The script is
breezy yet intense. The play is about relationships and is intended
to be as realistic as possible — so it takes its time; it’s down–to–
earth, it’s intimate, funny and clever. Altogether it’s excellently
put together and without a dull moment, and the production is a
complete success. From the chill atmosphere of the theatre itself
(if you’ve never been to the Pearl Company, this is an excellent
opportunity) and the open–concept sort of set, you experience a
closeness with the performance that feels akin to peeking in on
someone’s life — as if the walls of somebody’s house were
suddenly invisible and the occupants didn’t know.
Stephanie Davidson co–founded Black Box Fire two years ago,
and now, as her final act within the production company, she is
directing Stop Kiss. It is a finalé of sizeable proportions. Her
fellow co–founder Stephanie Yantsis does a great job of playing
Sara, which looks to be a difficult part. She is cool and natural
with her role, and seems so genuine in spirit that she brings a
great sense of truth to the aura of the play. Sara’s partner Callie is
played by the beautiful and charming standout star Emily Tate,
whose acting is fun, vibrant, and just really excellent. Emily is the
pulse of the show, and she’s plainly fabulous. These two sexy
girls have a nice opposites–attract chemistry, which made them
really believable as both friends and lovers. They were a terrific
duo; they brought the script up to its full potential, and made the
whole experience of the play worthwhile.
Black Box Fire continues to impress. Their shows are well–styled
and they have an edge without being weird. They’re smart, and
they know what the substance underneath the words is. They’re
subtle, energetic, ruthless, coy. They’re probably brilliant; it’s no
wonder the shows are so well attended. I applaud their
contributions to the Hamilton theatre community, and urge
everyone to continue supporting them. Farewell Stephanie, and to
the rest: whatever it is you’re doing, don’t stop. V
[KATIE PENROSE]
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