Workshop Theatre

Calgary Alberta Canada

“Children Of A Lesser God”

The Wednesday Morning (almost afternoon, technically) “Somebody-Asked-Me-To, So-Here-I-Go” Theatre Review: “Children Of A Lesser God”, presented by Workshop Theatre.

Who gets to determine what defines “normal”, after all is said and done? If one is born deaf, wouldn’t that be deemed as normal to their own experience? Why would hearing people feel to seem superior by comparison?

“Children Of A Lesser God” examines so much over the course of this 3-hour production presented by Calgary’s Workshop Theatre. While it certainly touches on the conflict between the majority versus the minority as the larger group attempts to help members of the deaf community appear more “normal”, the play sheds a light on so much more. Human foibles and frailties shared by both communities, relationships swirled about in simmering pots of desire, and ultimately the folly of assuming there even needs to be a one-size-fits-all definition of normal.

This is heavy stuff, as the story arcs from the introduction of teacher James Leeds to student Sarah Norman, carrying on through a considerable chunk of their lives - the awkward and professionally inappropriate relationship that develops, the ultimate marriage, and an eventual climax that builds on conflict and expectations illustrated by the actors throughout. The load is as heavy as the subject matter, especially for the Leeds character portrayed here by Brian Doyle. Leeds speaks not only for himself throughout, but also for many of the other characters, including Sarah.

The two lead actors are never alone too long onstage. Some terrific supporting performances help to flesh out the scenes, notably James Bell as Orin Dennis, and Jade Coultman as Lydia – fellow deaf students with their own agendas. Rounding out the cast is Jerry Callaghan as the deaf school’s bridge-playing Mr. Franklin, Donna Barnfield as Sarah’s mother, and Shannon Jones as the lawyer recruited later in the show.

Incidentally, I note that in the playbill bios Shannon’s grandmother Mary was educated at the Winnipeg school for the deaf – which is my own hometown, and where my sister has worked in the deaf community herself for many years. Through her association there, I had the opportunity several times to play recorded music for dance parties for the deaf. It is a small world after all…

On that “small world” note, a particularly difficult scene between James & Sarah in this play mirrored the real-life relationship that disintegrated between the movie stars of the film version, William Hurt and Marlee Matlin (Hurt turned out to be an appropriate surname with respect to his co-star and off-screen partner). Truth really is stranger than fiction…      

If you’re in the Calgary area, the Workshop Theatre company resides in the historic Pumphouse Theatre – find out more about them at http://www.workshoptheatre.org/

“Children Of A Lesser God” runs here until Dec 4, 2010.