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Anyone see this? (chess-themed play at Toronto Summerworks)
http://www.summerworks.ca/2011/home.php
Zugzwang is a quick-witted comedy about chess and the characters who dedicate their lives and intellect to the pursuit of this sometimes vicious game. Igor, Susan, and Karl discover the difficulties involved in creating functional relationships when one's only way of interacting is through duels of wit.
Cast: Nora Smith, Andy Trithardt, Ephraim Ellis, Dylan George, Josh Reaume, Matt Goreman, Costume and Prop Designer: Erin Gerofksy, Set and Sound Designer: George Quan, Lighting and Projection Designer: Remington North, Stage Manager: Mary Keenan, Composer: Scott Hanenberg.
review: http://www.theatromania.ca/2011/08/s...-zugzwang.html
Presented by Pedant Productions, Zugzwang is a quick-witted, offbeat comedy about the insular and highly competitive world of chess.
The story primarily concerns the relationship between roommates Igor (Dylan George) and Karl (Josh Rheaume), but also includes funny and awkward exchanges with the other competitors in the seventh bi-monthly Jewish Community Centre’s chess tournament: there’s Simon the Arbiter (Andy Trithardt), OCD Sidney (Ephraim Ellis), chain-smoking Bob (Matthew Gorman) and Susan (Nora Smith), the sharp-as-a-whip, “distracting” female player.
Michael Atlin’s script is full of interesting and hilarious commentary on chess strategy, cheating and poor sportsmanship. All of the actors are very well suited to their roles, each of them creating a distinct, idiosyncratic personality with believable strengths and weaknesses. Overall, the production moves along at a steady pace, but I felt the play ended too abruptly. After such an engaging set up I was hoping for a bigger pay off. Perhaps these characters will live on in another play or even a TV series? There’s definitely a market out there for this kind of hyper intelligent, cool-nerd comedy.
Zugzwang runs until August 14 at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. Visit summerworks.ca for more information.
http://www.summerworks.ca/2011/home.php
Zugzwang is a quick-witted comedy about chess and the characters who dedicate their lives and intellect to the pursuit of this sometimes vicious game. Igor, Susan, and Karl discover the difficulties involved in creating functional relationships when one's only way of interacting is through duels of wit.
Cast: Nora Smith, Andy Trithardt, Ephraim Ellis, Dylan George, Josh Reaume, Matt Goreman, Costume and Prop Designer: Erin Gerofksy, Set and Sound Designer: George Quan, Lighting and Projection Designer: Remington North, Stage Manager: Mary Keenan, Composer: Scott Hanenberg.
review: http://www.theatromania.ca/2011/08/s...-zugzwang.html
Presented by Pedant Productions, Zugzwang is a quick-witted, offbeat comedy about the insular and highly competitive world of chess.
The story primarily concerns the relationship between roommates Igor (Dylan George) and Karl (Josh Rheaume), but also includes funny and awkward exchanges with the other competitors in the seventh bi-monthly Jewish Community Centre’s chess tournament: there’s Simon the Arbiter (Andy Trithardt), OCD Sidney (Ephraim Ellis), chain-smoking Bob (Matthew Gorman) and Susan (Nora Smith), the sharp-as-a-whip, “distracting” female player.
Michael Atlin’s script is full of interesting and hilarious commentary on chess strategy, cheating and poor sportsmanship. All of the actors are very well suited to their roles, each of them creating a distinct, idiosyncratic personality with believable strengths and weaknesses. Overall, the production moves along at a steady pace, but I felt the play ended too abruptly. After such an engaging set up I was hoping for a bigger pay off. Perhaps these characters will live on in another play or even a TV series? There’s definitely a market out there for this kind of hyper intelligent, cool-nerd comedy.
Zugzwang runs until August 14 at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. Visit summerworks.ca for more information.
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