ij

Theatre for the Old Stone Age—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film

There’s not much to like here. A balanced act normally has loveable or adorable (at least tolerable) characters to offset the detestable. For me, I just plain dislike both the main characters, although Mutt starts to grow on you after a while, like cancer.

The average acting did nothing to grab my attention, which make the miscues quite noticeable. To their credit, there was nothing about any of the roles that allow actors to showcase any talents.

The weakest link of this show comes with the storyline—if you can call it that. There’s no lesson to learn; there’s no character growth; there’s no powerful subject; and there’s no humour. The entire premise is impossible, which is fine for a comedy but for a drama, it makes no sense. Calling the locals Chinese once fits the ignorance of the character; repeating the mistake incessantly straddles racism.

The guide description dangles so much potential—alas, the product delivers none.

Ray Yuen