Cherry Docs-Doing time, like facing the hangman's noose, can focus the mind wonderfully
by Pat Donnelly, The Gazette April 18th, 2009
Doing time, like facing the hangman's noose, can focus the mind wonderfully.
But in David Gow's Cherry Docs, it takes a while for Michael, the young Neo-Nazi skinhead arrested for kicking a South Asian man to death with his steel-toed Doc Marten boots, to get the point that he could be locked away for a very long time.
His liberal-humanist Jewish legal-aid lawyer, Danny, isn't happy about being assigned to defend the indefensible. He does, however, see a challenge and career-enhancing possibilities in the case.
The play progresses through a series of confrontations between the two men, interspersed with revealing monologues from both sides. Gradually, we learn that this episodic structure has additional significance connected with Jewish ritual - which is interesting, but doesn't quite substitute for full-throttle narrative momentum. Too often, in the Persephone production of Cherry Docs, directed by Gabrielle Soskin, the play seems to be over when it isn't quite.
Still, that's a minor flaw in a worthy, shoestring budget production of a play of major importance. Cherry Docs is easily the best thing Gow has ever done.
Why it has never been produced at either of Montreal's two major English-language theatres remains a mystery. Since it premiered at Factory Theatre in Toronto in 1998, with R.H. Thomson as the lawyer, it has been presented in Europe, Israel, the U.S. and Britain. In 2007, it was adapted into a film starring David Strathearn titled Steel Toes.
The only other production ever seen here, in Gow's home town, arrived from Halifax in 2003.
The strong point of this Cherry Docs is a riveting performance by Dan Jeannotte, who is a founding member of the improv comedy troupe Uncalled For, which won the Just for Laughs Comedy Award at last year's Fringe Festival.
As Michael, Jeannotte proves that he can master searing drama as well as comedy. He's a talent to watch.
Sean Carney's Danny is steady and sincere, a hard-working man willing to question his own motives. But there's no denying that the punk has the upper hand here. Given the nature of the material, I'd rather see things balanced the other way.
When Michael, under pressure from Danny to come up with a workable defence strategy, bursts into a recitation of his hate-filled creed, it chills to the bone. Danny's attempts to channel the tattooed delinquent's energies in a positive direction seem futile.
But as we suspect from the beginning, this is a play about redemption, about the possibility that twisted young lives can be turned around. At the same time, we see Danny's faith in diversity-embracing secular humanism shaken as he tries to deal professionally with a prejudiced young man who tells him: "In an ideal world, I'd see you eliminated."
While he and Michael don't exactly bond, Danny gains the satisfaction of knowing he has made a difference.
Thanks to set and lighting designer Mee Youn's spare use of projections, and the exposed brick walls of the theatre, this Cherry Docs has a look that suits the material.
Warning: Those allergic to smoke should avoid the front rows.
Cherry Docs, by David Gow, continues at Théâtre Ste-Catherine, 264 Ste. Catherine St. E. until April 26. Tickets: $21; student/senior/group, $15;. Wednesday/Thursday $12.
Call (514) 481-1327 or visit www.persephoneproductions.org
pdonnell@thegazette.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Doing time, like facing the hangman's noose, can focus the mind wonderfully.
But in David Gow's Cherry Docs, it takes a while for Michael, the young Neo-Nazi skinhead arrested for kicking a South Asian man to death with his steel-toed Doc Marten boots, to get the point that he could be locked away for a very long time.
His liberal-humanist Jewish legal-aid lawyer, Danny, isn't happy about being assigned to defend the indefensible. He does, however, see a challenge and career-enhancing possibilities in the case.
The play progresses through a series of confrontations between the two men, interspersed with revealing monologues from both sides. Gradually, we learn that this episodic structure has additional significance connected with Jewish ritual - which is interesting, but doesn't quite substitute for full-throttle narrative momentum. Too often, in the Persephone production of Cherry Docs, directed by Gabrielle Soskin, the play seems to be over when it isn't quite.
Still, that's a minor flaw in a worthy, shoestring budget production of a play of major importance. Cherry Docs is easily the best thing Gow has ever done.
Why it has never been produced at either of Montreal's two major English-language theatres remains a mystery. Since it premiered at Factory Theatre in Toronto in 1998, with R.H. Thomson as the lawyer, it has been presented in Europe, Israel, the U.S. and Britain. In 2007, it was adapted into a film starring David Strathearn titled Steel Toes.
The only other production ever seen here, in Gow's home town, arrived from Halifax in 2003.
The strong point of this Cherry Docs is a riveting performance by Dan Jeannotte, who is a founding member of the improv comedy troupe Uncalled For, which won the Just for Laughs Comedy Award at last year's Fringe Festival.
As Michael, Jeannotte proves that he can master searing drama as well as comedy. He's a talent to watch.
Sean Carney's Danny is steady and sincere, a hard-working man willing to question his own motives. But there's no denying that the punk has the upper hand here. Given the nature of the material, I'd rather see things balanced the other way.
When Michael, under pressure from Danny to come up with a workable defence strategy, bursts into a recitation of his hate-filled creed, it chills to the bone. Danny's attempts to channel the tattooed delinquent's energies in a positive direction seem futile.
But as we suspect from the beginning, this is a play about redemption, about the possibility that twisted young lives can be turned around. At the same time, we see Danny's faith in diversity-embracing secular humanism shaken as he tries to deal professionally with a prejudiced young man who tells him: "In an ideal world, I'd see you eliminated."
While he and Michael don't exactly bond, Danny gains the satisfaction of knowing he has made a difference.
Thanks to set and lighting designer Mee Youn's spare use of projections, and the exposed brick walls of the theatre, this Cherry Docs has a look that suits the material.
Warning: Those allergic to smoke should avoid the front rows.
Cherry Docs, by David Gow, continues at Théâtre Ste-Catherine, 264 Ste. Catherine St. E. until April 26. Tickets: $21; student/senior/group, $15;. Wednesday/Thursday $12.
Call (514) 481-1327 or visit www.persephoneproductions.org
pdonnell@thegazette.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette