SHORT STORY LONG by Joel Fishbane, directed by Ashlie Corcoran (A Literary Tour de Force). At Tarragon Extra Space (30 Bridgman). July 1 at 7 pm, July 2 and 6 at 1:15 pm, July 3 at 10:30 pm, July 5 at 4:30 pm, July 9 at 11 pm, July 11 at 5:15 pm. See listing.
The reading of a last will and testament can sometimes offer surprises, but Joel Fishbane’s Short Story Long, winner of the Fringe New Play Contest, ups the ante in a surprising fashion.
Internationally respected author Lincoln Kennedy leaves his money to his wife, Julianne, but gives his manuscripts and royalties to the mysterious A.K., dedicatee of his first novel.
Ferreting out A.K.’s identity – she’s the younger Amalthea King – Julianne confronts the woman she sees as a rival.
“The tenuous relationship that forms between the pair is fascinating,” says Jacklyn Francis, who plays Julianne. “Amalthea’s the first female companion Julianne, who was raised in a family of men, has ever had. Over the course of the play, this new woman in her life helps Julianne find herself and discover a peace she’s never had before.”
Don’t expect a lovey-dovey time at the theatre, though. Fishbane fills his script with verbal duels that use clever, sometimes bitchy repartee.
“Julianne’s in survival mode, and I don’t think the audience sees her at her best,” notes Francis, whose work ranges from Shakespeare to Stoppard (most recently, Rock ‘N’ Roll at Canadian Stage). “As I worked on the part, I started to see her as a person who’s been cut off from other women, living in a bubble and lacking normal social skills.”
Francis says Fishbane’s captured Julianne’s deep and idiosyncratic grief, which stems from a sense of betrayal, and notes that Amalthea also has problems.
“Though she’s been able to balance her work and family jobs, her own life is now unravelling.
“Each is hanging on by the edge, trying to survive, and what’s especially impressive in terms of the writing is that Joel’s given Julianne and Amalthea such different voices. That’s a real gift from a playwright.”
