Volcano’s A Beautiful View

Be sure to catch the limited run of A Beautiful View by acclaimed playwright Daniel MacIvor before it’s gone.

A Beautiful View relies solely on the strength of Daniel MacIvor’s poetic script and the skills of two very fine actors.

Volcano Theatre’s director, Ross Manson proves that you don’t need fancy sets and complicated staging to produce a compelling piece of theatre.  A Beautiful View, now on at the Factory Theatre, relies solely on the strength of Daniel MacIvor’s poetic script and the skills of two very fine actors.

The story is about two women who meet each other by chance in an outdoor apparel store and then run into each other again in a club.  Their initial meeting starts with a few lies, which compels one of the women to seek out the other and admit to her that she had been untruthful.  They have drinks and this leads to a one night romantic tryst after which one of the women bolts.  Their paths cross again some time later and a deep friendship is formed.  A Beautiful View is a memory piece with the two women talking to the audience and then reenacting the moments of their friendship through words, songs, and movement.  Their musical number playing ukuleles and singing an 80’s song is nothing short of brilliant.

MacIvor writes so well and exceedingly well for women.  He sees the world with such profound insight and sensitivity.  This piece is like a musical score and I hung on every note. The script is quirky, funny, silly and ultimately very moving.  It hit such a deep chord with me that I felt weepy for hours after and I am still basking in the gorgeousness of it all.

Becky Johnson and Amy Rutherford have such tremendous chemistry together.  They each play this piece masterfully.  Johnson’s zany characterization perfectly melds with Rutherford’s more centered demeanor.  They attack the roles organically, openly and authentically.  There were a few moments when I thought they hit the beats too hard but in the end they left their guts on the stage.

A Beautiful View is simply a terrific piece of theatre and one of the best shows I have seen on a Toronto stage in some time.  The view at Factory Theatre is truly beautiful, don’t miss this show. 

A Beautiful View is only on stage until March 9, don’t miss your chance to be moved by this beautiful theatrical piece.