Review: Terminus (SummerWorks)

Dubliners

by Christian Baines

A distraught telephone crisis worker “A”, a lonely young woman disillusioned by love “B”, and a serial killer with hidden gifts “C” - one remarkable night in Dublin will bring these three souls together in a vivid, lyrical journey by playwright Mark O’Rowe.

With no stage direction to speak of, Terminus is a shared, rhyming monologue between its characters. Dancing elegantly between horror, humour, fantasy and tragedy, O’Rowe’s play is a refreshing reminder of theatre’s central purpose – to tell a great story. And what a story it is, artfully interweaving the all too human trials of “A” with the otherworldly, infernal evening of “B”. And while Adam Wilson may occasionally take things a little over the top as “C”, he’s a nice counterbalance to the more measured, but no less solid performances of Maev Beaty and Ava Jane Markus.

This was my second outing with Terminus, and though envious of those around me, who were experiencing the tale for the first time, I enjoyed seeing director Mitchell Cushman’s unique take on it – particularly its unusual and suitably confronting stage configuration. It won’t be for all tastes, but it does allow for a few simple tricks that might not have been achieved in a more conventional setting. A note on sight-lines – a seat in the middle is key to enjoying the show’s full impact.

The Canadian debut of this Abbey Theatre gem is surely one of SummerWorks 2012’s standout sleepers. Dark, intimate and truly unique, it’s not to be missed.

Terminus plays at Factory Theatre until August 19.