Beyond by the Sea

Postcard Review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Beyond by the Sea

Playwright – Kristen Da Silva

Production Company/Theatre space – Lunchbox Theatre in the Studio Theatre, Vertigo Theatre.

Length – One hour, 10 minutes (no intermission)

Genre/s – Romantic Comedy

Premise – A nervous man new to the dating scene waiting for his date to arrive chats to the woman who sells tickets for the ghost themed boat tours.

Why this play? Why now? – A two hander that delivers warmth and laughs in the middle of the day.

Curiosities – I wondered if this was a conscious choice to return to some of the great theatre that got Lunchbox Theatre to its half century or not.

Notable moment The one liners.

Notable writing – Rom coms are the hardest to write because there is only one plot and it’s difficult to make things fresh, but Kristen Da Silva delivers. Da Silva is a two-time award-winning playwright for The Playwrights Guild New Comedy Award, deservedly. This is a nearly perfect play and perfect for Lunchbox Theatre.

Notable performances –What great comedy actors need is to be fearless, and Meg Farhall is a risk taker and not afraid to look goofy. She is a delight. She has impeccable timing. She and the marvelous Mike Tan make an engaging couple. Beautiful casting, Ms. Steinberg.

Notable design/Production – Having that seating configuration for that set is ideal. Points to DeNeane Osmond for a simple set that points to the sea. Current Head of Wardrobe for Vertigo Theatre Raili Boes lends their talents to their neighbour in the Studio Theatre. The shoes ARE a win.

Notable direction – Director Bronwyn Steinberg, one of Calgary’s best directors, captains a tight ship. The results are splendid.

One reason to see this show – This Lunchbox season, as many of the companies this year, has opened with a bang. If you’re an old Lunchbox fan you will love this show. If you’ve never been, have this be your first date.