Fresh talent, deep emotions: The Truth and Darers is my kind of show.
In Shanti Harris’s script, a group of young teens gathers in an abandoned barn in their isolated, impoverished, rural community for a high-stakes game of Truth or Dare. If you lie or don’t complete a dare, you will be banned from the barn, their favourite hangout and the symbol of their mutual allegiance, for life.
Off the top, I found the script and production a bit overstated. The extended choral introduction could probably be reduced to one line: “It was the summer of 2012, and we had nothing better to do.” And the establishing of characters, including the theatrics of a guy named Copper, could be reined in considerably.
But, in the monologues, subtlety asserts itself, as do complexity and narrative accumulation. Eric’s mom died of an overdose. Leaf is gay. Angie’s family is the most impoverished.
These characters are all supposed to be 13. That’s only intermittently credible. But I was always emotionally and narratively engaged.
Under Arthi Chandra’s direction, every one of the actors delivers praiseworthy work: playwright Harris (Angie); Angella Cody (Lucy); Liam Ma (Leaf); Aiden Howard (Stan); Sam Braun (Eric), and Owen Connolly (Copper).
Remaining performances: September 12 (9:50 p.m.), 14 (6:35 p.m.), 16 (7:00 p.m.), 18 (5:00 p.m.), and 19 (3:40 p.m.) Tickets and information.
PHOTO CREDIT: Julian Nelson
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