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Studio
58 in association with Green Thumb Theatre Dates and Venue March 17 – April 3, 2016 at 8pm Tues - Sat; Matinees 3pm Sat & Sun, except March 19 | Langara College, 100 West 49th Avenue Director Patrick Macdonald Lighting Design Gerald King Set Design Pam Johnson Costume Designer Jessica Oostergo Reviewer Maria Figueiredo The Crowd beams a light on the working and not so working poor and the struggles they endure to carve out a life for themselves. Studio 58 found a play that supports the themes of the Green Thumb Theatre production as well as providing a performance in which teenage actors practice roles relevant to modern society, focussing on the complex cultural and systemic problems confronting youth. The Crowd provides theatre that stimulates empathy and debate of cultural beliefs, discrimination and poverty. The play is a portrayal
of the many difficulties facing the lives of Tina and Bobby. They tend
to live in the moment, exciting and promiscuous lives with friends who
are similar in habits and choices. Bobby and Tina’s wedding turns
out to be a disaster but keeps the audience spellbound as each scene
changes rapidly. Drugs, booze, sex, cops and jails together with the
bonds of love and friendship are acted on with much feeling and teenage
impetuosity till the drugs or the police take over. The result is tragic
till dazzling strobe lights change Life for most of the players except
for Tina and Bobby who choose to live a Life of love and caring on Earth.
The many teenagers
in The Crowd play their roles with dramatic fervour. Bobby
(Nathan Kay) as a meek, helpless teenager who unwittingly gets into
trouble plays his part effectively while Tina ( Camille Legg) his young
pregnant bride, heavy with child, shows her skills at being supportive
and yet confused with grace and talent. Ricky (Scott McGowan) changes
into a mature, responsible being. His transformation from a slow, irresponsible
teen to a masterly man who takes charge of the situation is astounding.
Scott McGowan has to be commended for his great performance. Jill (Raylene
Harewood) played her role with much enthusiasm, too. © 2016 Maria Figueiredo
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