Childhood is a very intricate topic. Depending on the story or the narrator, it can be marked by youthful ridiculousness, but also by life changing tragedy. In Greystone Theatre’s recent production of Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, a play by Morris Panych, the tragedies of young Iris’s “last few days of childhood” are brought to life with vivid colour and stirring imagery. The tragicomedy centers on a young, philosophical girl who, devastated by the death of her goldfish, struggles to save her parents crumbling marriage. Directed by Natasha Martina, the play uses beautiful plateaus and artistically stunning sets to breathe life into the story.
The show ran from October 11th to October 21st at the John Mitchel Building, in a little theatre. Although the space is small, the design and construction crew managed to create a vast and intricate new world with the play’s set. Designed by Taegan O’Bertos, the set merged a cozy, 1960’s home perfectly with an algae ridden pier, submerging the entire theatre into the sea. The scenic painting was so believable it was hard to believe the clinging coral, algae and water damaged wood were not natural. The vivid colour scheme of bright turquoises,…show more content… It mixes quirky wit with heavy topics such as loss and depression. Fortunately, the cast at Greystone Theatre mastered it and portrayed their characters realistically and entertainingly. From Samantha Fairweather’s playful and sharp Iris, to Julia Opdahl’s dramatic and transatlantic Aunt Rose, the characters were impressively animated every second they were on stage. Every heart wrenching moment was portrayed perfectly: the reunited family running hand in hand from the pier, Iris’s father crying on the couch while she watched from behind the banister, Iris watching helplessly as her mother hurries down the stairs, suitcase in hand. Natasha Martina’s directing captured the heart of Panych’s script and of every person in the
