Toronto Review - 'A Million Billion Pieces' at Young People's Theatre
Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic
The two pickings of plays at Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre are varied right now. On the Main Stage is a wonderful production of ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ which will most assuredly attract families over this holiday season.
Upstairs, in the Studio Theatre, is another entirely different production - the World Premiere of ‘A Million Billion Pieces’ by Toronto playwright David James Brock. Again, thank goodness, there was a Q and A after this student matinee performance because I always gain further insight, and I needed it today for this subject material. My good fortune as well was the fact that the playwright made an appearance today. I had a chance to speak with Mr. Brock for a few minutes before I left and wish I could have spoken further to him as so many thoughts were running through my head.
According to the press release, ‘A Million Billion Pieces’ was created by Mr. Brock and composer Gareth Williams. It began in 2013 as a multimedia project with Scottish Opera (Breath Cycle) which incorporates soprano vocals. Mr. Brock made a quick reference to this opera at the Q and A and it’s something I hope Torontonians will have a chance to see in the future.
In this production, two teenagers Theo (Aldrin Bundoc) and Pria (Kate Martin) have been isolated by a rare disease which could kill them if they made contact. We never really know what the disease is, but only the fact contact could kill them into ‘a million billion pieces’. Starved for attention, Theo and Pria meet in a hotel room for the first time as they have a reason to test what it means to each of them to live – and to ‘love’- like other people. Since Theo and Pria have only kept in contact with each other online, we also see their online counterparts, Eagle 19 (Simon Gagnon) and PriaSoprano (Jonelle Sills).
The preshow soundscape used music that was rather eerie and unnerving as I entered the auditorium. I felt as if I was entering another ‘world’, (a nether world, perhaps?), so I was intrigued with Rachel Forbes’ set design which combined the realistic and ordinary looking with a celestial and ethereal feeling. The hotel bed (nicely made with earth tone colour duvet and pillowcase) is angled just off-centre right. There is a headboard and a side table to the right. Stage right and stage left incorporated square steps slightly angled with what appeared to be celestial paintings on the floor.
Daniel Oulton’s projection designs are at times effectively eerie and frightening for this nether world where they can be gone in a flash, and sometimes they do leave quickly. Kaitlin Hickey’s lighting design sharply focus where attention is supposed to be placed for each scene.
Teachers and parents – be forewarned that Mr. Brock’s script is viscerally raw at times in language and in contextual situation. Director Philip Akin makes an excellent choice not to couch this guttural ambiance because that’s not being truthful regarding youth.. Young people at times will make irresponsible choices in the heat of the moment. This is part of their growth in life process. For example, Pria is bent on having a sexual encounter with Theo and so be it if they burst into a million billion pieces. There is talk about ensuring a condom is ready before having sex. There is also the use of an herbal cigarette. Since this was a school matinee I attended, I was hoping that the teachers in charge of these students had prepared them for what they had just seen. Additionally, had parents agreed to their children attending this play if they were fully aware of the content? I sure hope so.
Was I bothered by this strong language? Initially I was, but then it suddenly became apparent to me that Mr. Brock uses the vernacular of young people in Theo and Pria’s conversations. As a retired teacher, I can now state unequivocally this is reality in the classroom and outside; this is how young people converse with each other. If I could take the strong language of David Mamet in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’, then I can in ‘A Million Billion Pieces’.
I applaud both Mr. Brock and composer Gareth Williams in their connection of this gritty and raw environment of the hotel room to the use of operatic music. What an inventive technique to get youth still in school to hear opera and, hopefully, to appreciate it. Although I hold no background in opera, Jonelle Sills as PriaSoprano is exquisite in her singing. As I attend more opera, I’m beginning to appreciate this art form further.
As Eagle19, Simon Gagnon’s costume of what appeared to be an astronaut certainly reinforces his connection to the world of the computer, the internet and the nether. Mr. Gagnon’s performance is a reminder of how each of us might be tempted not to tell everything about ourselves in this online, nether world. Gagnon’s broad physical stature is quite an interesting juxtaposition and contrast to Aldrin Bundoc’s Theo.
Kate Martin and Aldrin Bundoc have quite the task behind them in this production. They must look and sound like they are young teenagers on the verge of adulthood. Additionally, they must consistently keep our attention focused on the plot of the play – learning how to live and love like other people while making sure that a young student audience gets that idea. I don’t think this was achieved at the end. At this performance, Ms. Martin and Mr. Bundoc didn’t maintain that consistent believability as a young couple who want to throw caution to the wind and ‘do it’. I get that performing for students can be a challenge at times as there were the odd noises from the audience that threw my concentration as well.
FINAL COMMENTS: ‘A Million Billion Pieces’ is a tough story to follow. This year, YPT will focus on the Seven Ancestral Teachings of the Anishinaabe. In this production, the story focuses on Love. It’s difficult for me to say that I enjoyed this piece because there’s a lot to digest about what Love stands for in this 70-minute presentation.
A quibble I do have is the fact the ending is confusing and its connection to Love. The question was raised by one young person in the audience if Theo and Pria had sex. I saw something entirely different; however, when I considered this young man’s vision I began to re-think once again if I had missed something.
A MILLION BILLION PIECES
Runs to December 13 in the Studio Theatre at Young People’s Theatre, 165 Front Street East, Toronto. For further information visit www.youngpeoplestheatre.org or call the Box Office at (416) 862-2222 ex. 2.
The performance is recommended for ages 13 and up. Parents, if you do take your children you may want to de-brief with them after the performance and Q & A.
Performers: Aldrin Bundoc, Simon Gagnon, Kate Martin, Jonelle Sills
Director: Philip Akin; Playwright: David James Brock; Composer: Gareth Williams; Set & Costume Designer: Rachel Forbes; Lighting Designer: Kaitlin Hickey; Projection Designer: Daniel Oulton; Dramaturg: Stephen Colella; Stage Manager: Kate Porter
Performance runs approximately 70 minutes with no intermission. There are some Q and A sessions after each performance. Check when you purchase tickets.