Flesh and Other Fragments of Love

Part detective story, part ghost story, part dissection of fidelity and intimacy – this is a haunting ode to love by Quebecois playwright Evelyne de la Chenelière, based on Marie Cardinal’s renowned novel Une vie pour deux.

The Tarragon continues its tradition of presenting English premieres of Quebec plays with a translation by Linda Gaboriau. Governor General Award-winning playwright Evelyne de la Chenelière’s tale of the philosophy of love is brought to life by the theatre’s Artistic Director Richard Rose.

Unlike the title may suggest, this is not a love story. Simone (Maria del Mar) and Pierre (Blair Williams) were admittedly in love at one point, but have grown apart over the years, each taking on a separate role in a seemingly empty relationship. While Simone is extremely self-absorbed, Pierre seems disenchanted and aloof. To the audience’s understanding, the couple has never shared their feelings, apparent by the emotionless portrayal of the characters. And thus, the circumstances become a soapbox for their thoughts and pushed-aside feelings.

While vacationing on the Irish Coast, the couple stumbles upon the body of a drowned woman named Mary (Nicole Underhay) during a walk along the beach. This grisly discovery acts as a catalyst to unearth unspoken words in Pierre and Simone’s long-standing marriage. They spin a story of Mary’s life and incorporate aspects of their own tumultuous relationship.

The premise is unique and interesting but I felt the language a little too elevated. I didn’t bring my thesaurus with me, which seemed to be a miss for a few people in the audience. It may have been the translation or the desire to keep the dialogue more poetic and avant-garde, something I felt didn’t work when your main character is a wet corpse.

Flesh and Other Fragments of Love definitely isn’t a play for everyone and with a running time of 75 minutes (without intermission), it’s quite the commitment. But if you’re up for it, this show may surprise you and possibly leave you thinking about your current relationship.

Flesh and Other Fragments of Love runs until February 16 in the Main Space. For tickets call Patron Services at 416.531.1827 or visit www.tarragontheatre.com.