Thunderfoot

Life & Depth—Asper Centre (U of W)

This one-man show from Aaron Malkin, otherwise known as James of James & Jamesy from 2 for Tea fame, is a showcase in which he demonstrates diverse theatrical skills. These range from mime to playing multiple characters with very different voices, to singing, all to support what is ultimately a very satisfying story.

At first it can be a little hard to understand what is going on. How are the old man sitting in the chair, the librarian, the main character Matteas (as an adult and in looking back on his life as a child), and what appear to be natural disasters, related? Malkin also employs some light audience participation, never bringing anyone on stage with him, as is common with the James & Jamesy shows, but instead encouraging the audience as a group to participate by making various sounds of animals and people throughout the show.

Eventually we learn that Matteas must confront a giant who is apparently terrorizing his town. As Matteas goes on his hero’s journey, he eventually learns the true identity and motivations of this giant, as do we, in a great twist. A second powerful twist comes near the conclusion of this play regarding the true meaning of all we have seen. Ultimately, it gives this story much more gravitas than a simple tale of a boy and a giant, and we come to understand how this fantastical play is “autobiographical.”

Konrad Antony