Deidre Gillard-Rowlings and Lenard Stanga:
…Scene from Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun…

Production by Western Canada Theatre Company
Photo by Barbara Zimonick

Norm Foster:
Official Site

Imperial Theatre:
Official Site

Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun: Theatre Sarnia

by Norm Foster

Reviewed by Brian Hay

The key feature in this production is simplicity. The set designs are simple. There are no light fixtures or false walls, just a few pieces of furniture. The lighting is simple. There are no variations in the colours of the lights. There are no moments where all the lighting is low. The entire staging is minimalist and without frills. Only the characters are complex.

This play, like all of Norm Foster's work, is completely and very purely character driven. The character's, like all of Foster's tend to be, are complex and entirely believable. 'Robert' with the maturity of a child. But he's no simpleton. His observations are as astute as those of a psychiatric professional, but more cutting. 'Claire' is the woman with the heart, and a motive. She's honest and true, but devious as well. 'Holly' is the good girl who makes mistakes. She has her desires but finds her needs. 'Simon' is a self-obsessed stuffed shirt. But he's not without depth. The 'Doctor' is the consummate sympathetic professional. But he's incapable of remaining completely aloof. Foster takes these characters and weaves a web that makes their story gripping.

The cast members are all excellent. Gord Bristo (who usually shows up in the company's whodunits) is in good form as the Doctor. He seems like a professional but his compassion is never far from the surface. Drew Caldwell fills the role of the self-absorbed 'Simon' neatly. He comes across as completely pompous but never becomes unsympathetic. Maria Stoesser fills the role of 'Holly' like a glove. The character is an 'every girl'. She isn't a beauty or a drip and she doesn't like all of what life is giving her but she copes. Stoesser captures that essence perfectly. She shows the character when she's down but never loses her warmth. The chemistry between her and Caleb MacKinnon (Robert) is undeniable.

Caleb MacKinnon is exceptionally good in the role of the childlike thirty-five year old, 'Robert'. His performance is never overstated and never falls into clichés. It's also remarkably consistent. It's not uncommon for an actor to slip a little when portraying something so far removed from what they really are. Accents almost always run hot and cold (for instance). MacKinnon's portrayal establishes the character and what he's like in his opening scene and he never wavers from it. That isn't to say he fails to surprise—he doesn't, but he never seems like he's acting out the part. Dorothy Clifton gives a remarkable turn in the role of 'Robert's' mother, 'Claire'. She catches all of the character's nuances from her philosophical (and spiritual) overview to her willingness to be manipulative. Her love for 'Robert' is always tangible.

Director Val Hadley keeps the story moving at a good clip. There is movement but never a lot of it. The set and lighting are, as mentioned earlier, stark and very simple. The stage is divided into three parts while the lighting follows the characters' movements and the story. Prior to the show the stage looked barren. It's a credit to Drew Caldwell's and Vince Quinn's senses of restraint that they didn't add more fixtures or use lights to enhance the atmosphere of the piece. What he used served the story. Adding extra touches would have been a distraction. The music, by Diane Hadley, is melodic and accessible with just a touch of elegance. It followed the mood(s) of the play and characters well. As with the sets it leaves the characters to do the work.

This is an excellent production of a great piece of work. It gets an unconditional recommendation.

"Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun" runs at the Imperial Theatre in Sarnia, Ontario, from October 17, 2008 through to October 19, 2008 and again from October 22, 2008 through to October 25, 2008. This review covers the performance that took place on Saturday October 18, 2008.