Rat Academy

Postcard review by Caroline Russell-King

Show – Rat Academy

Playwright- creators Katie Yoner and Dayna Lea Hoffmann with Joseph McManus.

Production Company/Theatre space – High Performance Rodeo, One Yellow Rabbit in collaboration Batrabbit Productions and Contemporary Calgary in their new theatre (which was the old Pleiades/Vertigo theatre).

Length – 1 ACT (1 hour, 10 mins, no intermission)

Genre/s – Political clown comedy.

Premise – A street savvy rat sets out to educate a naive rat (a science laboratory escapee) on Alberta’s no rat policy and methods of staying alive, with help from the audience.

Why this play? Why now? – This show was plucked for the HPR at the end of its successful tour.

Curiosities – Could the signage from the parking lot to the main doors be lit and better placed?

Notable Moment – Engaging Louis B. Hobson in audience participation much to his chagrin!

Notable writing – I’m not sure this performance was text based. I suspect it was devised performance based. Nevertheless, it had all the components of a story. On the surface it may seem like children’s theatre, with the exceptions of a few “fucks”, however, the anthropomorphization of the rats lends itself to metaphors for the unhoused population, new-to-Alberta people being kept out, and the futility of religion. Or maybe it’s just about two rats - audience choice.

Notable performances – Yoner, as the dominant rough rat, reminds me of Rebbecca Northan in their deft handling of improv and audience participation. The second more lovable and docile rat is played by Hoffmann; they too are adept at interacting with the house. The performers have a polished interplay one would expect of a show that has had many former productions. They are both agile and acrobatic in their schtick as bipedal creatures and thoroughly entertaining.

Notable design/Production – Claire Sonmor’s set is comprised of two half walls adorned with graffiti, two garbage cans, and strewn garbage that covers a trap. Perfect for nimble handling on tour and Fringe venues.

Notable direction – Joseph McManus is the director (and touring Stage Manager). I suspect he was the outside eye for the collaborators.

One reason to see this show – You will laugh and also be touched by the pathos of these two creatures that society sees as vermin. NOTE this show is not at the Arts Commons.