Jitters

A comedy by David French

Soulpepper Theatre until July 24

Reviewed by Ron Singer

Jitters is a comedy based on the backstage antics (read that as production mishaps and idiosyncratic and eccentric personality traits and conflicts) of a professional theatre company just prior to opening. Sure enough, everything that can go wrong on stage and back, does.

David French, one of Canada’s foremost playwrights, wrote this play in 1979 and more often than not, it still holds up three decades later, since the behaviour and theatrical traditions of an acting company in 1980, were not all that much different than a present day company in Toronto, or New York, or anywhere else in the world for that matter. The insecurities, egos, pressures and anxieties of actors, directors, designers, stage managers, playwrights and production staff are universal and legend. And that’s what David French capitalized on and used as a beautiful launching pad for this generally well structured play within a play.

Clearly, what occurs here, does not happen to every company all the time, but it sure as heck is an honest representation of much of what can happen in the rehearsal process & beyond. And it’s important to note that, contrary to what one might expect, this is not played as broad farce. The characters in this play are real people with genuine, real people concerns. Nevertheless, there are the odd few moments in the script that fall flat.

The cast is outstanding and the direction and design are superb as well. All nine actors handle the physical and verbal comedy with ease and director, Ted Dykstra moved them around the intentionally confined spaces beautifully.

Most of the comedy emanates from the well-drawn characters and their extreme but very honest behaviour. But there is also ample and reasonably appropriate comic physical schtick that blends in superbly with the mad but poignant and fast-paced goings on.

This may not be brilliant theatre, but I do consider this as very enjoyable time spent, perfect for a summer evening’s entertainment at the Soulpepper Theatre.

About Ron Singer: Artistic Director Emeritus of The Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts, former Chair of the Department of Theatre at York University, former entertainment critic (CFRB Radio and Standard Broadcast News), and former  arts and entertainment reporter (CBC Variety Tonight). We’re honoured to have Ron with us.

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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