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Culture Theatre

Diva act

ZONA PELLUCIDA by 2boys.tv/THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE curated by Keith­ Cole (Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander). To January 24. $15-$29. 416-975-8555, artsexy.ca. See Continuing. Rating: NNNN


Queer film theory meets stylish techno-savvy in Zona Pellucida, the hypnotic full-length piece by Montreal’s 2boys.tv.

Lovers of David Lynch’s filmic puzzles will appreciate the challenge of patching it together. As the frequent sampling of Bellini’s opera La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker) suggests, Zona works best on a dreamlike level.

Outfitted in the standard Hollywood-issue garb of the international woman of mystery (dark sunglasses, scarf, black dress), Stephen Lawson navigates his/her way around the spare but surprising set, lip-synching to various campy or culty screen heroines. There’s Anne Baxter from All About Eve, Gena Rowlands from Opening Night and, most memorably, Elizabeth Taylor’s hysterical shrieking – looped for maximum effect – from Suddenly, Last Summer.

While some of the outrageous monologues elicit embarrassed chuckles, 2boys.tv dig deeper, exploring the central character’s identification with victimization and her internal struggle with sexuality and guilt. A scene where Lawson’s manic diva argues with a tiny projected image of him/herself is eerily beautiful but disturbing.

Aaron Pollard’s films, screened onto the most unlikely places, are an integral part of the piece, which defies logic but encourages discussion and repeated viewings. And damn, it’s all gorgeous to look at.

Strange that the work’s on a double bill with The Needle Exchange, a brief cabaret curated and hosted by the effervescent Keith Cole. The two halves couldn’t be more different. But Cole, after a clever opening ditty that references some of his more notorious shenanigans, proves a genial and clever host, helping his three guests (different each night) make the most of their talents and ensuring the whole thing wraps up in 30 minutes.

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