Six short plays explore the complexity and awkwardness of human identity and the perception of time in Mere Mortals and Others: Plays by David Ives at Douglas College March 16-18.
Presented by the departments of Theatre and Stagecraft & Event Technology, these plays from David Ive’s anthology All in the Timing take a comedic approach to philosophical and theoretical ideas about humanity, transformation, identity, and time.
The six plays are “Sure Thing”; “Words, Words, Words”; “The Philadelphia”; “The Death of Trotsky”; “Mere Mortals”; and “English Made Simple.”
In “Sure Thing,” a time-looped conversation between two people takes their relationship from strangers to spouses. In “Words, Words, Words,” three monkeys are tasked with writing Hamlet. In “The Philadelphia,” three people explain their state of being using city analogies. “The Death of Trotsky” explores the possible thoughts Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky may have had as he died. “Mere Mortals” is a conversation between three construction workers who reluctantly reveal they are famous historical figures. “English Made Simple” is a frequently-interrupted language demonstration of how to greet someone.
“The plays are about people trying to figure things out when the world goes bizarre on them,” said Kathleen Duborg, director. “They are fun and short, and also very weird. David Ives has an interest in philosophical and scientific theories, such as string theory and existentialism, and this comes across in his writing.”
As comedic plays, Duborg hopes they will delight audiences as much as it will challenge the actors.
“The bizarre circumstances make these plays a bit of a puzzle for the actors, but they also have the added challenge of achieving comedic timing with no in-person audience,” said Duborg. “I hope viewers walk away with a laugh and the feeling they were part of something that humourously touches on what the past year has been like.”
The student cast includes Grace Allard (Port Coquitlam), Shaelynne Barber, Eve Jackson (Coquitlam), Joseph Hartorno (Indonesia), Justin Malhi (Surrey), John McCallum (Cloverdale), Andy Nie (Vancouver), and Jacob Tong (South Vancouver).
Performances take place live on Zoom, March 16 at 7:30pm and March 17 and 18 at 1pm. Talkbacks with the cast and crew will follow the matinee performances. For the Zoom links and access instructions, visit douglascollege.ca/theatreproductions.
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
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