Burgandy Code, left, and Chris O’Neill, who portray telephone central in Unity , offer some comic relief. - ContributedCANNING, N.S. — This year’s mainstage play, Unity , and its execution by the company atnear Canning, is well worth attending. In fact, the production is entirely rewarding. Unity is both touching and super relevant in 2022.
The plot has a focus on three sisters. Micha Cromwell’s Beatrice was heartfelt and genuine. Her delivery, while impassioned, was crystal clear. Cromwell made wonderful use of pauses; especially notable was her relationship with Jeff Schwager’s character, Hart. Another standout was Riel Reddick-Stevens in the role of the non-conformist sister, Sissy. On stage, Reddick-Stevens blazed like a bonfire. Whether delivering a facetious one-liner or a zealous tirade about the coming apocalypse, Reddick-Stevens was magnetic to watch.
The subject matter is rough going, but floppy prop bodies keep the audience aware this is theatre. Darkly witty, even funny at times, we come to understand that almost as many Canadians died during the 1918-1920 influenza epidemic than during four years of outright war. Townsfolk wear surgical masks, avoid physical contact and panic. Yet nothing can stop the demand for coffins.