Theatre Review: Das Ding (The Thing)

Das Ding (The Thing) is a weird and wonderful collaboration between independent theatre company Theatre Smash and Canadian Stage at the Berkeley Street Theatre.

The Berkeley Street Partnership gives a small company the opportunity to stage shows like Das Ding, while supporting them on all levels of artistic and administrative resources.

This German play written by Philipp Lohle and translated by Birgit Schreyer Duarte, has the audience trotting around the globe and weaves a complex tale involving both personal and business relationships, globalization and a mysterious talking cotton fibre called the thing.  Das Ding is an odd play and at times I was baffled by what was going on but all the loose threads come together in the end.

Das Ding (THE THING) – Photo by James Heaslip

Drew Facey has created an absolutely stunning set that is nothing short of breath-taking.  As we entered the space, a huge white structure that nearly touched the ceiling took centre stage.  Perched on top was a king.  The structure had sheaths of billowy white fabric that covered it in its entirety so it made the king look all the more regal as if the set piece was part of his flowing robes.  Later, as the piece was spun around the stage, it was reconfigured and opened up revealing a small hidden room.  At times, the actors popped their heads out of it or pulled pieces of the material down to create a new space.  Truly ingenious.

The stagecraft in this production was particularly strong with sound created by John Gzowski and lighting designed by Nick Andison and Graeme Thomson.  Denyse Karn created some great projections including a world map, water, and phrases.

Das Ding (THE THING) – Photo by James Heaslip

The cast of Das Ding, Kristopher Bowman, Lisa Karen Cox, Quasim Khan, Philip Nozuka and Naomi Wright were a cohesive unit, switching precisely between characters and obscure situations.  Quasim Khan and Naomi Wright were particularly good.  They both possess a likability that draws you in and their comedic timing was outstanding.  In the character of Magellan, Wright proves that if you are good as she is the rule of three in comedy can be blown out of the water.  Her character had a bad leg and she walked around over and over with this odd gait, it never ceased to be hilarious.  The interplay between all the characters was a joy to watch.

Ashlie Corcoran directed the piece and is also Theatre Smash’s artistic director.  She did a great job forming this rather absurd and technically difficult show into an engaging, stream lined piece of theatre.  Canadian Stage continues to stage thought provoking world theatre which Toronto audiences might not otherwise have access to.  Das Ding (The Thing) runs until May 1^st.