Big Shot

Surreal SoReal Theatre—Planetarium Auditorium

We all want something unexpected to happen, because isn’t that what we remember the most? Haven’t you wondered what like would be life if you were in a movie? Moments that move slower than reality, frozen in a frame and in that moment, the audience sees and feels the exact same thing.

John Lachlan Stewart sweeps us into his storytelling as we meet a small cast of characters including a recovering heroin addict, an elder Japanese gentleman, a policeman, a young woman, a hot-shot movie buff, and a young boy who dreams of life being more like an action movie.

What seems at first to be separate storylines, each with a complex and interesting plot, start to take the shape of something bigger as the characters’ lives connect. With captivating stage presence, Stewart brings these characters to life and all the moving pieces slowly start to create the big picture. Their lives converge on the Vancouver SkyTrain as the puzzle pieces fall into place. I sat breathless on the edge of my seat with my heart racing, and the unexpected is exactly what we get.

I don’t want to give away the plot much because this show is a brilliant roller coaster and all I can think of is just WOW. Well done sir. Catching a tragedy isn’t something I do often at Fringe but this was intense. And extremely well executed. I am very impressed and very happy I chose to check out this production!

Calantha Jensen