Kaela Beth Gillan, co-author and director of the Theatre Glendon production If Only..., which begins a four-night run Wednesday, describes it as an "actor's exercise". There are no physical props and the actors are constantly shifting roles, leaving the majority of the work up to their mime and physicalization abilities in order to tell the story.
The piece's thematic core is memory. If Only... explores how it is constructed, reconstructed and how no two memories are exactly the same. The actors travel between the past and the present on a malleable set with the assistance of careful lighting and sound and use of narrative structure.
If Only... began as a collective creation by Gillan and Jon Boehm working with four actors through improv exercises and scene work. It was produced in a shortened form with reversed gender roles for last season's Fridge Festival at Glendon. Back for a remount in its original full-length form, the show promises to provoke, question, and surprise.
If Only... stars Dave Andrews, Daniel Byrnes, Aaron Katz, and Stevie Thomas.
The play previews on Dec. 7, 8pm. Performances will be given on Dec. 8 at 5:30pm and Dec. 9 & 10, at 8pm. Tickets are "Pay-What-You-Can" and are available by calling 416-487-6822. Theatre Glendon, is located on York’s Glendon campus, 2275 Bayview Avenue at Lawrence Ave. E. For more information, visit www.glendon.yorku.ca/theatre/.