The strength of this play invariably also lies in Thompson's exceptionally raw and powerful material. Thompson is a master at excavating the recesses of the human psyche. Alumnae Theatre's production of 'Palace of the End' has devised from Thompson's work a piece of theatre that will haunt and move you. In the program's director's notes, Maghanoy writes, "We tried to capture the fear in the piece, the cruelty, but balance it with this idea of a startling and powerful hope." Such dark material may leave one wondering where exactly this proverbial hope lingers, but then we're exposed to a faint glimpse of it at the very end. In a very tender final scene, all three characters huddle together and exchange glances with one another with a mutual understanding (perhaps a hint of respect?) of their personal and all-too tragic journeys which binds them together in possibly more ways than they could imagine.
If you can, see this play, but don't expect to walk away with answers or a resolution of any kind. One needs only to tune into the evening news or pick up a newspaper to realize that an end to the nightmare is, regrettably, nowhere in sight.
'Palace of the End' runs until November 28 at the Alumnae Theatre. Performances are from Wednesdays to Saturdays at 8:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm. The Alumnae Theatre Studio is located at 70 Berkeley St., 3rd floor, in Toronto. For tickets and information call 416-364-4170 or visit the theatre's website.
Photo of Laura Vincent, Christopher Kelk, and Sochi Fried courtesy of Alex Felipe.
