Review: Big Plans (Summerworks)

(photo credit: Daniel Barkely)

The Horror of "Based on a True Story"

by Christian Baines

Gordon (Andy Trithardt), a sexually repressed man sliding towards middle age, has placed an ad on the internet seeking a willing male victim to be slaughtered and consumed. Answering the call is Henry (Karl Graboshas), a listless young man with a failed marriage behind him and little desire to go on.

The trouble with stories about cannibalism is that nobody takes them seriously anymore. I blame Sondheim for this, I really do! So any chills to be had from entering HUB 14’s intimate, in-the-round set are somewhat muted by inevitable giggles. Fortunately, Jeremy Taylor’s script allows this black comedy to flourish, until he finds more insidious methods of exploring the psychology of his twisted leads.

Big Plans seems calculated to keep its audience just a little off-kilter from the get-go. On entering the space, they are greeted by a smiling Gordon, who sits reading a Star Trek book – one of many interesting details lifted from the Rotenburg Cannibal case on which the play is based. A word on seating, the piece falls prey to the inevitable flaw of ‘the round,’ in that no one audience member will be able to see every detail. Instead, the show does its best to keep the action moving within the space, ensuring each of Gordon’s ‘witnesses’ gets a good view.

Yes, fourth wall purists, be warned. The characters are perfectly aware they have an audience.

Big Plans is one of SummerWorks’ longest offerings at roughly 100 minutes, and in truth, it could stand to lose another 20, particularly from its opening. Once Taylor starts to dig deeper however, it’s soon clear his play has far more on its mind than a mere horror show. By the time Gordon’s mother (Leni Parker) arrives, we’re truly won over by its fearless performances, keenly intelligent dialogue and surprising insight. 

The end result is, if you’ll permit me, a dark and delicious treat.

 Big Plans plays at HUB 14 until August 19.