A Modest Proposal
Reviewed by Katie Stobbart
Plays again:
Saturday, April 26 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 27 8:00 p.m.
Director: Calvin Baker
The limitations of political correctness were drawn early in this play with lines like, “I don’t want to be insulting, but you are a good cook,” and “since I met you, I’m a new man—I mean, a new person!” Acting was good, line delivery was clear, and there were a few standout moments, one of which was the pleased, kneejerk half-smile from a man who has travelled through a snowstorm to patch things up with a woman when she tells him, “you’re the most politically correct man I’ve ever known.” There was a part in which I was confused as to whether Mer (like the sea), was listening to John and responding with irrelevant comments, or not listening to John and rambling to the audience, breaking the fourth wall. The pacing (both literal and figurative) became a little repetitive toward the end, which might have been resolved had the emotional charge increased throughout the play, but when John says he is angry, I’m not sure I believe him yet. However, the content left me with some interesting questions, largely tied to Mer’s quandary: “This is the new age, and I’m just a bit confused…”
