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May 2, 2003
Siblings battle over script
BAILA LAZARUS EDITOR
The Odd Couple meets Adaptation in the energetic,
wonderfully written and well-acted production of Sam Shepard's True
West, playing now at Havana Theatre.
Plaid wearing, upright and uptight Austin (David Mackay) is the
brother trying to write a screenplay about love in the Old West,
while the loud, misfit, quasi-criminal Lee (David's real-life brother,
Gerry) is the brother who wants to write a screenplay about the
Wild West.
To say these two are at odds, both in demeanor and in experience,
is an understatement. But, as in most dysfunctional family environments,
they each envy something that the other possesses. Austin would
love to be as spontaneous and carefree as his brother, able to live
life like an adventure every day; while Lee envies his brother's
stable life and potential for success in Hollywood.
By a fluke, Lee gets his film treatment accepted on a bet and Austin
must write up the screenplay for him. Gradually, the two brothers
switch characters with Lee becoming more serious about his work
and Austin turning into a criminal.
As a catalyst to the transition is Saul (Jerry Wasserman), who plays
the slimy Hollywood producer who couldn't care less about how good
a script is, as long as he thinks it will do well at the box office.
And Doris Chillcott plays the spacey mother who, upon returning
from a trip to Alaska, doesn't recognize the house given the disastrous
mess that her sons created while fighting.
The play has lots of laughs, as well as insightful observations
on family interactions. A little less intensity in the yelling would
have been appreciated, however, given the theatre's small size.
True West plays at the Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Dr.,
until May. 10. Tickets are $20/$15. Call Festival box office, 604-257-0366.
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