By Katie Stobbart (The Cascade) – Email
Jack
Written and directed by the Theatre 353 class (UFV)
Running time: 60 minutes
Showings: Thursday at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 p.m.
Jack is one of two 60 minute plays created and performed by UFV’s playmaking class.
It begins with a simple poetry assignment which Jack (Eli Funk), lost in his own world “saving Booktopia from Dr. Dictionary and his Homework Minions,” fails to complete.
But when he reads a short poem (ironically similar to a children’s bedtime prayer) from a mysterious old book, Jack discovers a dream world he can share with his friends. In it, they can create anything they can imagine.
Scene changes were smooth, jokes were ‘punny,’ and character development was strong. Best costume award goes to the glowing ewok eyes. I was also impressed by the inclusion of dementor-like action and invisible energy-fighting scenes.
Listen carefully to the multilayered voice recording as it is not immediately clear that it is part of the dialogue.
The plot was a bit predictable, but delivered with enough authentic emotion to engage the audience in Jack’s struggles as he loses control over his dream world. Peppered with compelling moments, this portrait of the very human needs to see to be seen, to control and to create, sheds an ironic light on one boy’s attempt to decide his own fate.
The cast also includes Danny Campbell, Courtney Duffield, Melissa Harris, Shannon Hayes, Rae MacEachern, Josh Tompke, and Cassandra Tracy. The accompanying play, performed by the rest of the class, is Alice.
