“You were the last of your poisonous line.”
Back for the second year running and featuring a cast of eclectic actors and highly trained dancers, Theatre Gargantua’s production of “Imprints” had people searching for clues at Toronto’s Factory Theatre.
The show, written by playwright Michael Spence, explores the concept of ancestral ghosts, inner memories, and our genetic code. It ties them all together in a surreal tale told through the character of Lily (Stephanie Belding).
Throughout the play the eccentric Lily is undergoing a rigorous experimental procedure for an incurable disease. However as the effects begin to kick in she is transferred to another world, a world in which she has never seen the likes of before.
The Alice-In-Wonderland world that Lily sees is a metaphor for her inner self, and the strange ghosts she sees are those of her ancestors and the strangers imbedded within her family history.
The characters that Lily comes across are unique in their own way.
There is Thantos, a maniacal figure seeking vengeance upon Lily’s family for what they’ve done in the past.
A group of ghosts, who are as peculiar as they are nice and give Lily answers without really giving them at all, riddling much like the Cheshire cat in Alice.
Finally there is the Mad Hatter character of Had, who is probably of the most help to Lily in her search to discover her roots. He confuses Lily even more in the search to discover the imprints of her genetic build.
So many of the technical aspects of this inspired play helped it stand out.
The spirits were projected and built up fantastically. The lighting stayed with muted menacing tones throughout most of the play, and materials such as silk, sand, and projection screens were used to add an eerie and other worldly vibe.
These effects most definitely added to the show and helped to build the overall chaotic tension as the plot unfolded.
The use of choral speaking, when the ethereal spirits were seen, was absolutely fantastic, the dancing was tight and very expressive, and it's a good thing that Stephanie Belding (Lily) has an extensive background in dance and theatrical arts as most of the play featured extensive flocking and heavy mirroring.
The ensemble was very physical with dancers running, jumping, and even crawling at some points around the tiny stage. The sound effects proved very effective, and I loved how the actors broke the fourth wall climbing off the stage to say their lines and assisting with stellar effects.
There is a longing throughout the play for Lily to find her father, and with this longing, comes my personal favourite scene in the play. I won’t give too much away, but the play does have an emotional ending which proved to be quite a tear jerker to me.
Over all, Imprints is a fantastic show, and it was obvious that the actors and company were well read, rehearsed, and on their game for this performance. The play held the audience in another world, a trip that is a must-see for all lovers of theatre, art, and dance.
Video by Douglas Brown, Olympus E-PL3 w/ mZuiko 45mm 1.8 lens
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