The Show, October 22, 2012

Sweeney MacArthur (photo by Riyad Mustapha)

Bloodless
Celebrating a new work, a new company
by Stuart Munro

There are many reasons to celebrate Theatre 20’s new production of Bloodless. First and foremost, I think it is entirely appropriate to cheer on any new theatrical venture, especially one of Theatre 20’s size. The calibre of the assembled artists is truly staggering, and the company’s mandate is smart, lofty, and challenging – all things worth paying attention to. In short, Theatre 20 wants not only to re-imagine existing repertoire, but also showcase new Canadian works (and hopefully resurrect some older forgotten ones . . . do we really need any more productions of Anne of Green Gables?), and always with a focus on story. Some of the country’s best actors will be performing classic musicals we maybe haven’t seen in town for a while (like their upcoming production of Company), and these established shows will, in theory, provide something of a financial groundwork that will let them experiment and produce new homegrown works, giving our Canadian writers a much needed place to showcase their material. It’s a model that, on paper at least, sounds fantastic.

Now, before you go accusing me of praising Bloodless because I admire the company’s mandate, I’d like to admit freely that the show is not perfect. The material doesn’t always find the right blend of macabre and more light-hearted humour, and there’s a patch in Act II that drags on a little. Joseph Aragon’s score is good with a few moments of brilliance. What made the night so vastly enjoyable was the sheer quality of the performances which had been so clearly and carefully honed by director, Adam Brazier, who is a force to be reckoned with – rarely do we get a chance to see a musical on our stages that has been so carefully thought out, and treated so seriously. Too often musicals get thrown away as nothing more than light entertainment. It’s exciting and refreshing to see a company committed to changing that and giving the artform the dignity it deserves.

Read Stuart Munro's complete review of the opening night of Bloodless