Review: e-DENTITY at the Royal Alex, Toronto

Jeff and I recently attended a performance of e-DENTITY, a new play at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. I went in with neutral-low expectations; the promo images (like the one to the right) struck me as somewhat cheesy. I also half-expected the play to target a general audience, so mentally prepared myself for the usual over-explanations of Internet elements so common in mass market movies and tv shows these days. Our friend Craig convinced us to go, however; it's hard to say no to Craig. :-)

Conceived by Jacquie Thomas with script by Michael Spence, the play explores the various ways human communication has changed since the advent of cyber communication. I know, I know! Even as I typed that, I could picture you making a face and reaching for your mouse, itching to click away to anywhere else but here.

But wait!

Jeff and I were both surprised by how much we liked this production. The people behind e-DENTITY did an excellent job at getting across the whole feel of being online with clever use of projections, transparent screens, original music (including using the human voice for interesting acoustic effects), and (believe it or not) choreographed dance-like movements. AND they assumed the audience was already somewhat Internet-savvy.

It would have been so easy to go overboard, but these elements were all well-integrated into the overall dialogue, which was well-written and engaging. It's not aimed at the typical theatre audience; you need to have some experience with the Internet to appreciate all the segments. The show is a collection of vignettes rather than a continuing story.

However, even vague familiarity with certain topics was enough to appreciate certain vignettes. My closest experience with Warcraft, for instance, was watching the South Park episode focusing on the online game; I still found the Warcraft segment entertaining though I wasn't in hysterics like some of the audience who obviously WERE very much into the game :-D.



Some vignettes had me laughing to the point of tears, while others were surprisingly moving. The projected images, original music and choreography were mesmerizing, but it was the strong writing that carried this show for me. That, and the fact that I could identify with many of the elements. :-)

For those attending: be sure to read the inserts in your program, which give extra info: several of the vignettes are based on real-life incidents. The ticket prices, by the way, are much more reasonable than the regular "big name" productions at the Royal Alex, ranging from $20 up to $65.

For more information:

e-DENTITY.ca

Mirvish.com: e-DENTITY (buy tickets online)

Runs March 20 - May 20, 2007
Tues - Sat 8PM; Wed, Sat, Sun 2PM

The Royal Alexandra Theatre
260 King St. W.
Toronto, Ontario




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