“For us to start over, the universe would have to begin again”

Yet that’s how Craig Wright’s The Pavilion begins: with the beginning of the universe. And at the centre of this particular universe are two high school sweethearts who are seeing each other for the first time in twenty years – who knows what could happen? Directed by Chloë Rose Flowers, The Pavilion is more than just a “play about time”; it’s a meta theatrical musing on life, second chances, and what it feels like to tread off the path you thought was yours. Taking place on the picturesque porch of Pine Farms Orchard, The Pavilion is a beautifully written and expertly performed work that’s sure to touch your heart.

The Pavilion is Pine City’s favourite gathering place. Nestled along the lake, the final event being hosted there is the reunion for the class of 2006. Peter and Kari haven’t spoken in the twenty years since they left high school, and we soon realize that they have much to discuss. As they mingle and reconnect with their former classmates, the drama of their pasts begins to resurface, along with plenty of new gossip to hear. As the hours tick on and the sweetheart dance approaches, will Peter and Kari repair what was broken? Or does some damage go too deep to ever be mended?

Flowers chose the perfect play for Pine Farms Orchard; with the play’s setting being a rustic, outdoor space, the whole feel for the production is just right. The personalized banner for the reunion paired with the matching table cloth and napkins absolutely gave the playing space a celebratory feel. I also appreciate the addition of risers for the back two rows of the seating space; the sight lines are great and you really get a unique perspective from just a few inches off of the ground. The partnership which King Theatre Company has forged with Pine Farms Orchard, as well as other local businesses, makes these productions a true King City community effort: the Farm provides the delicious snacks and a scenic backdrop, and King Theatre Company has a beautiful outdoor location to perform their work.

I think The Pavilion is one of the most well written plays I’ve seen in some time. The language fluctuates between poetic and colloquial from one line to the next, yet never feels like it’s incomprehensible. Instead, Wright uses the theme of time to ask larger questions about the universe as well as ourselves. This introspection combined with more existential queries allows the action of Peter and Kari’s story to settle a little differently, as the ideas of inevitability and destiny are consistently discussed throughout. The narrator especially has some exquisite monologues which had me feeling like I was instantly part of something much bigger than myself.

Real life couple Ian Ottis Goff and Alexa Higgins star as Peter and Kari. I love knowing that a couple on stage is a couple in real life too; there’s a level of intimacy and trust which I feel like comes through in their performances and it gives the text a deeper grounding and meaning. Goff is charming as Peter, and also gets to show off his musical chops with Wright’s original song “Down in the Ruined World”. Higgins gives a fiery and passionate performance; the more I found out about Kari and her story, the more I felt for her, and the more I respected her ultimate decision and Higgins brings that to life with grace. Josh Palmer gives an acting masterclass as the Narrator, as he’s not just narrating the story, he’s playing every other person Peter and Kari encounter in their evening together. Using carefully hidden props and pure charisma, Palmer shifts seamlessly from one character to the next creating a host of wacky personalities. I love how no matter who had the focus, everyone was still fully in character and acting on stage. It allows the audience to stay fully immersed in the world of the play, and remain invested in the characters and their stories.

“In human history, every little thing makes a difference”

We all have regrets, don’t we? Things we’ve said or done we wish we could change. But is there an expiration date on reparation? What happens if we wait too long to make amends? The Pavilion openly talks about being a “play about time”, but it’s also a play about the consequences of our actions, and what forgiveness can look like, even if it ends up being different than what we hoped for. This beautifully staged production pairs the perfect ambiance with a thought-provoking text and stellar performances to create a truly enthralling experience. Every time I see one of King Theatre Company’s works, I eagerly await what they’ll do next.

The Pavilion runs at Pine Farms Orchard in King City until August 22. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.kingtheatre.ca/thepavilion

---

Cover Photo: Alexa Higgins, Josh Palmer, and Ian Ottis Goff. Photo by Khaleel Gandhi.

---

Thank you to my Patrons:
Natalia, Steve, Brendan, Deborah, and Phil

And to my supporters who’ve bought me a coffee:
Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, Caitlin, Jonathan, Jada, and Courtney

Would you like to become a Patron? Check out my Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/AViewfromtheBox

Or, you can buy me a coffee at: buymeacoffee.com/aviewfromthebox