BLIND DATE

BLIND DATE

Rebecca Northan’s Blind Date is a rare theatrical phenomenon that takes one of the riskiest, most challenging performance forms and turns it into a ninety-minute tour-de- force with one actor and one audience member. The rest of us get to watch as the romantic roller coaster takes off and never falters for a moment. But of course the semi improvisational nature of the piece has spectators wondering, from start to finish, if the rollicking, fast paced narrative will take a wrong turn without warning. On opening night there was not the slightest glitch. Northan’s blind date, chosen from the audience during an extended soiree in the lobby forty-five minutes before the show started, was a dream date from start to finish. Early on he explained his love for Canada from the perspective of someone who came from India to study engineering only a year ago. His sincerity and youth shone through and won the audience, and the performers, attention at the outset. Northan is able to both lightly admonish and praise her date with quirky, charming delivery and precise physical presence that is both boisterous and graceful as she makes her way into the mind and heart of her chosen beau.

It is the sheer simplicity of this show’s premise, combined with Northan’s immense talent for a kind of nuanced, at times ‘clown’ like enthusiasm and charm, that gives Blind Date the relentless entertainment value that has taken it across Canada, the U.S. and to London’s West End.

Supporting roles from Kristian Reimer and Christy Bruce punctuate Northan’s general comic tone, drawing brilliant characterizations with broad skilful strokes that add layers of story and action to the overall evening. Bruce’s server is charming and possesses an extremely engaging comic delivery. Reimer’s police officer, utilizing minimal props in an agile and hilarious car scene, adds further interactive energy to what is basically a two hander – one actor and one actor/spectator. This is improv/audience interaction at its very best.

Don’t miss the opportunity to watch a completely new and original ride each and every night as Rebecca Northan (with alternate Christy Bruce playing Mimi in the matinees) goes on a new Blind Date with a brand new audience member. Led by Northan’s endless energy and impeccable narrative timing and creation, a simple meeting in a restaurant became a substantial segment from a lifetime of love and mutual respect. Who knows what other dates on other nights over the course of a three-week run will bring! This is a kind of comic suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat and has you leaving the theatre wishing you could come back several times to see how each date turns out.

BLIND DATE RUNS AT TARRAGON THEATRE

UNTIL OCTOBER 4TH