Breakfast

Presented by The Theatre Centre and The Independent Aunties

Review by Lizzie

In a Nutshell: Aside from leisurely chocolate pudding breakfasts, Marnie doesn’t have much going for her. Her frumpy turquoise moccasins have seen better days and the neighbours keep bombarding her with their explosive orgasmsic romps. But this morning's going to be different. With the eerily personal guidance of a self-help tape Marnie is ready for change. Beginning with a magical banana and ending with the sauciest of apple scenes, Marnie undergoes a hilarious and inspiring transformation.

You’ll Like This Performance If You: Like kickboxing around the house to the Kill Bill soundtrack or belting along to a drag queen’s campy rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive. If you loved Muriel of Muriel’s Wedding or Evelyn Couch of Fried Green Tomatoes, Marnie will be very much your taste.

Indicative Quote: “I need you you to fill the blender. I need you to put the lid on. I need you to (in a husky seductive voice) turn it on.”

Highlight: Evalyn Parry, the narrator of the self-help tape, had a goosebumpily alluring voice – a rich purr, the sort that would be on an ad for a creamy chocolate bar or a Cadillac – but her face was piercingly cold. The juxtaposition of voice and face was mesmerizing. I couldn’t stop watching her. Also, some hushed oohs and ahs were exhaled when running water came out of the tap on the stage. Apparently we who attend small theatre productions are easily impressed by “special” effects.

Lowlight: Towards the end some abrasive feedback was happening on the mikes. Did someone in the audience not turn their cellphone off as we were supposed to? Naughty, naughty.

What Was The Audience Like: Friends and famiy? Most stayed in their seats after the bows so I suspect they were waiting to congratulate the actors.

Who You Should Bring: Those with a soft spot for quirkiness.

Breakfast runs to June 1, Tue-Sat 8pm, Sun 2:30pm, tickets are $20, call 416-538-0988 or write to cathy@theatrecentre.org to reserve. The Theatre Centre is at 1087 Queen St. West (at Dovercourt), see http://www.theatrecentre.org/showdetails.php?id=5
Photo Credit: Jeremy Mimnagh