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Laurence Olivier once said that “in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, great theatre is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture“. There is no better proof of this than in the umbilical connection between Vancouver’s thriving culture and bourgeoning theatre scene.Here on Cue to Cue we’ll regularly feature in-depth previews and reviews of the shows that create the face of Vancouver theatre, as well as interviews with the local artists behind it all… |
Rebecca Northan as Mimi. Photo Credit: Greg Tjepkema
Blind Date at The Cultch until October 7th
In a world saturated with cynicism there is a welcome break. Her name is Mimi. In Blind Date (at The Cultch until Sunday) we arrive to meet a beautiful woman in a cafe who is so up-beat you almost can’t believe she’s been stood up. Not to be deterred, Mimi invites a complete stranger from the audience to be her date. What happens next is a completely improvised relationship between the lovely Mimi and an audience member. That means that like a date, no two nights are ever the same. It’s extraordinary and absolutely mandatory viewing.
As Mimi, the ridiculously beautiful Christy Bruce (understudy for show creator Rebecca Northan) dances between comedy and pathos, creating the perfect environment to build a relationship with her audience member. With a red nose and a charming grin, Bruce enchants detail after detail from her once uneasy audience guest. Managing to even charm her date’s wife in the audience, their date goes from first meeting to first kiss through to fourth baby. While a comedic triumph, the beauty of the 90 minute piece is the richness of the honest moments. Bruce exhibits such confidence and warmth in the silences, that I felt like I was truly watching a relationship progress; In many ways I was. A unique and resonant evening of theatre, Blind Date is a highlight of the fall’s offerings. With only four shows remaining, and few tickets left, this show is not to be missed.
Where: The Cultch (Victoria and Venables)
Tickets: www.thecultch.com or 604-251-1363
As always you can contact me at cuetocue@vancouverisawesome.com or @viaplays
