When an accident or tragedy strikes, can the facts be determined by what actually happened or what is assumed to have occurred? How do assumptions or prejudices colour the recollection of events? Who can really tell the whole story?
“Bus Stops” is a jarring drama that uses multimedia, music, dance, and acrobatics to recount a tragic explosion on a city bus. The play begins with the police coroner (Marilyn Perreault) trying to gather the facts as to who may have been responsible for the explosion. Six characters appear each with their own story that merges together on the fateful bus. The stories relate the characters’ hopes and unrequited desires as well as difficulties and fears. The stories bounce between the past and the present; some cross paths with each other.
Text messages between the characters, still photos, and video images are projected on the burned shell of the bus. The actors move acrobatically over the top and under the bus to switch scenes or move into minor characters. The effect can be disjointed as some of the stories are more extensions of the expositions. Some scenes are repetitive. However, these styles do not diminish the outcome of the stories.
Daniela (Nora Guerch) seeks to escape an unstable boyfriend, Tom (Alexandre Lavigne). She becomes involved with Jimmy (Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon), a man from the Middle East studying at university. Waitress Rachel (a delightful Annie Ranger) enthusiastically explains her obsession with Henri (Hugues Sarra-Bournet), the bus driver. Hovering over all of these vignettes is Sandy (Victoria Diamond) a teenage girl with an unexpected perspective. Ms. Guerch is heartbreaking in Daniela’s search for love and peace. Her scenes with Mr. Turgeon have spark and tenderness. Mr. Lavigne is a coil of seething anger masked by defeatism. Mr. Sarra-Bournet is a wonder with the physical elements and a stoic partner for Ms. Ranger. Ms. Diamond is bubbly and sympathetic as Sandy.
The set design works not only as the bus but also as a stage within the stage. The set has cameras that play live footage of the action. As the play moves to the climax, the bus’s parts are removed revealing the steel frame. It exposes the truth of the nature of the characters. The costumes are simple as the actors share some of the pieces among them. The multimedia images are clever and bring a real world element to the events.
People and events are not always what they seem at face value. In the end, actions can reveal more truth than words.
“Bus Stops”: Centaur Theatre Company presents a Théâtre I.N.K. Production. Written and directed by Marilyn Perreault. Translated by Nadine Desrochers. Adapted from the play, “Lignedebus”.
Show continues to March 27, 2016 at the Centaur Theatre, 453 St-François-Xavier, Old Montreal.
Tickets $50 to $28.00. Call the box office at 514-288-3161 or go to www.centaurtheatre.com
