WEATHER written and performed by Rebecca Hope Terry, directed by Ross Manson. Presented by Volcano and the Moving Company at Factory Studio (125 Bathurst). Runs to October 5, Thursday-Saturday 8 pm, matinee Sunday 2:30 and 7 pm. $15-$24, Sunday matinee pwyc. 416-504-9971. Rating: NN Rating: NN
Rebecca Hope Terry’s weather charts the climate of one woman’s spirit, the winter blizzards of her soul. Externally, the production, directed by Ross Manson , offers some effectively stormy theatre, but internally there’s too much dead calm. We’re introduced to a zippy TV weatherwoman (actor/choreographer Terry), who gives us updates of wintry forecasts, physicalizing the reports cleverly with her entire body.
These public episodes contrast with private ones in which weather imagery lets us discover another personality, a lonely, fearful woman who has unresolved issues with her parents and the world at large. The unnamed character is clearly more comfortable with the animals who visit her at night than with people. Her heart, literally dangling on a string, is stuffed into a pocket.
The writing gives us hints of what’s going on under the surface, but only occasionally – for instance, in a childhood memory of flying – does Terry reveal the woman’s inner world. The dance and movement are fine, Terry has an engaging stage presence and Rebecca Picherack ‘s lighting is subtly effective.
But unless we know this character better and feel for her, the play’s energy is little more than a tempest in a teapot, while the arrival of spring brings a resolution of hope that’s unwarranted and puzzling.
