THUNDERSTICK REVIEWS
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Thunderstick
Written by Kenneth T. Williams Starring Craig Lauzon & Brandon Oakes Directed by Glen Gould Produced by the Thunderstick Collective & Culture Storm Producers Glen Gould & Heather Haynes Toronto Free Gallery |
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Two Native cousins get laughs as they fight for a story, but their serious past is at the heart of their relationship
NOW MAGAZINE THEATRE REVIEW
January 28-February 4, 2013 | VOL 32 NO 22
Review by Jon Kaplan
NOW RATING: NNN
They might not be kissing cousins, but Isaac and Jacob Thunderchild understand the importance and strength of blood ties. It’s that closeness that knits together the seemingly disparate comic and serious elements of Kenneth T. Williams’s Thunderstick.
Jacob (Brandon Oakes) is an Ottawa journalist who loves his liquor as much as his ex-wives; his cousin, Isaac (Craig Lauzon), is an international photojournalist who pursues stories as dangerous as they are newsworthy. When the two aboriginal men meet after a long separation, assigned to a story about the disappearance of a cabinet minister, Jacob’s finishing off a bender he swears (yet again) he’ll never repeat.
Once on the job, an episode of projectile vomiting directed at a national figure lands the two in jail, but Jacob sees a chance to redeem them both; he has this theory about a lesbian tryst involving the minister and an aboriginal leader. Pursuing the story in the wilderness, the cousins uncover more than they expect.
If that synopsis suggests that humour drives the action, you’re right. For the first act, Williams has written one joke after another, a number of them intentionally groan-worthy, including some of the repeated “are so, am not” and fart variety. Lauzon and Oakes milk the lines for all they can, getting uproarious laughs from some audience members but leaving others less impressed.
Although humour and characterizations are broad for the first hour, the actors clearly enjoy their characters’ banter, building a winning chemistry that makes the sometimes silly lines work.
The second act, though, under Glen Gould's direction, deepens the cousins’ relationship. Without going all political or preachy, the dialogue touches on residential schools, drinking and parental neglect. The act deepens the characters as we learn why, for different reasons, Isaac and Jacob left the rez, determined never to return. These vignettes, short but powerful, give a richer feel to what starts out as a light comedy.
Andy Moro’s set of newspaper strips on poles doubles nicely as bars in an Ottawa jail and trees in the freezing, wolf-roaming countryside where the cousins find themselves lost.
January 28-February 4, 2013 | VOL 32 NO 22
Review by Jon Kaplan
NOW RATING: NNN
They might not be kissing cousins, but Isaac and Jacob Thunderchild understand the importance and strength of blood ties. It’s that closeness that knits together the seemingly disparate comic and serious elements of Kenneth T. Williams’s Thunderstick.
Jacob (Brandon Oakes) is an Ottawa journalist who loves his liquor as much as his ex-wives; his cousin, Isaac (Craig Lauzon), is an international photojournalist who pursues stories as dangerous as they are newsworthy. When the two aboriginal men meet after a long separation, assigned to a story about the disappearance of a cabinet minister, Jacob’s finishing off a bender he swears (yet again) he’ll never repeat.
Once on the job, an episode of projectile vomiting directed at a national figure lands the two in jail, but Jacob sees a chance to redeem them both; he has this theory about a lesbian tryst involving the minister and an aboriginal leader. Pursuing the story in the wilderness, the cousins uncover more than they expect.
If that synopsis suggests that humour drives the action, you’re right. For the first act, Williams has written one joke after another, a number of them intentionally groan-worthy, including some of the repeated “are so, am not” and fart variety. Lauzon and Oakes milk the lines for all they can, getting uproarious laughs from some audience members but leaving others less impressed.
Although humour and characterizations are broad for the first hour, the actors clearly enjoy their characters’ banter, building a winning chemistry that makes the sometimes silly lines work.
The second act, though, under Glen Gould's direction, deepens the cousins’ relationship. Without going all political or preachy, the dialogue touches on residential schools, drinking and parental neglect. The act deepens the characters as we learn why, for different reasons, Isaac and Jacob left the rez, determined never to return. These vignettes, short but powerful, give a richer feel to what starts out as a light comedy.
Andy Moro’s set of newspaper strips on poles doubles nicely as bars in an Ottawa jail and trees in the freezing, wolf-roaming countryside where the cousins find themselves lost.
Comedy at its best in Thunderstick, playing at Toronto Free Gallery theatre
MOONY ON THEATRE
Review by George Perry
Thunderstick is a play about two cousins chasing a news story. The story is a gem, taking place in the dangerous Ontario woods and the even scarier Parliament Hill. Likewise, Toronto Free Gallery is a gem in an up and coming Toronto neighbourhood.
Toronto Free Gallery is a fascinating venue. As you enter, you are greeted by people with huge smiles. In record time, those people become friends. The front room is an art gallery. I don’t get to galleries nearly often enough, so this was a nice bonus.
The cozy theatre is in the back. Once you enter, you’ll meet even more new friends. My partner for the evening, Larry, and I certainly did. The entire space is warm and welcoming. Every person inside was splendid.
Another refreshing element of Thunderstick is that the cast and crew are comprised of Aboriginal peoples. New and different viewpoints are always great to discover. It was illuminating and rewarding.
The set is deceptively simple. Long two-by-fours, wrapped with newspapers line the sides of the stage. At times they are the “noise” of Parliament Hill. Later, they are the bars of jail cells and a Muskoka forest.
Andy Moro, who has done amazing work with Video Cabaret, has once again created something special. The set is minimal yet highly evocative. It allows the audience to use our imagination. It also allows the writing and acting to shine.
Thunderstick was written by Kenneth T. Williams. It’s the story of two cousins, two souls, on a journey. Isaac (Craig Lauzon) is an accomplished photojournalist. Jacob (Brandon Oakes) is a struggling and alcoholic reporter. The two are reunited after years and end up chasing a groundbreaking political story.
The writing and delivery are equally hilarious. There are elements of Bruce McDonald movies, the brilliant Tim Robbins movie Bob Roberts other road stories. Thunderstick will hopefully be coming to the big screen soon, as it has been optioned as a feature film project. It will be great to brag, “I saw that when…”
Lauzon is a Royal Canadian Air Farce alumnus. We liked him a lot, but I thought he still had some of the rhythm or “feel” of that troupe in his delivery.
Larry and I agreed that Oakes was spectacular as Jacob. He plays a drunk in an authentic way, while also being intelligent and human. He is exceptionally engaging.
Overall, we thought that seeing Thunderstick was a bit like visiting an amusement park. It’s a bit out of the way, it’s a bit dangerous, and somebody gets thrown up on. Afterwards, we were a bit sore from all the fun and laughter.
Thunderstick is, as billed, a “raunchy comedy”. It is a hilarious party for smart people who like to explore, laugh until it hurts and make new friends. For those of us occupying less desirable spots on the totem pole, this play is a perfect night out.
I strongly recommend checking out Thunderstick while Toronto Free Gallery is still spreading the glee.
Review by George Perry
Thunderstick is a play about two cousins chasing a news story. The story is a gem, taking place in the dangerous Ontario woods and the even scarier Parliament Hill. Likewise, Toronto Free Gallery is a gem in an up and coming Toronto neighbourhood.
Toronto Free Gallery is a fascinating venue. As you enter, you are greeted by people with huge smiles. In record time, those people become friends. The front room is an art gallery. I don’t get to galleries nearly often enough, so this was a nice bonus.
The cozy theatre is in the back. Once you enter, you’ll meet even more new friends. My partner for the evening, Larry, and I certainly did. The entire space is warm and welcoming. Every person inside was splendid.
Another refreshing element of Thunderstick is that the cast and crew are comprised of Aboriginal peoples. New and different viewpoints are always great to discover. It was illuminating and rewarding.
The set is deceptively simple. Long two-by-fours, wrapped with newspapers line the sides of the stage. At times they are the “noise” of Parliament Hill. Later, they are the bars of jail cells and a Muskoka forest.
Andy Moro, who has done amazing work with Video Cabaret, has once again created something special. The set is minimal yet highly evocative. It allows the audience to use our imagination. It also allows the writing and acting to shine.
Thunderstick was written by Kenneth T. Williams. It’s the story of two cousins, two souls, on a journey. Isaac (Craig Lauzon) is an accomplished photojournalist. Jacob (Brandon Oakes) is a struggling and alcoholic reporter. The two are reunited after years and end up chasing a groundbreaking political story.
The writing and delivery are equally hilarious. There are elements of Bruce McDonald movies, the brilliant Tim Robbins movie Bob Roberts other road stories. Thunderstick will hopefully be coming to the big screen soon, as it has been optioned as a feature film project. It will be great to brag, “I saw that when…”
Lauzon is a Royal Canadian Air Farce alumnus. We liked him a lot, but I thought he still had some of the rhythm or “feel” of that troupe in his delivery.
Larry and I agreed that Oakes was spectacular as Jacob. He plays a drunk in an authentic way, while also being intelligent and human. He is exceptionally engaging.
Overall, we thought that seeing Thunderstick was a bit like visiting an amusement park. It’s a bit out of the way, it’s a bit dangerous, and somebody gets thrown up on. Afterwards, we were a bit sore from all the fun and laughter.
Thunderstick is, as billed, a “raunchy comedy”. It is a hilarious party for smart people who like to explore, laugh until it hurts and make new friends. For those of us occupying less desirable spots on the totem pole, this play is a perfect night out.
I strongly recommend checking out Thunderstick while Toronto Free Gallery is still spreading the glee.