Jordan Parker
Local theatre show The Gift has been captivating audiences, and those in Halifax will get another chance to see it with its extended performance run.
The world debut Brookes Diamond production is a black-box show that explores one central question: Are our lives governed by destiny or chance? It will continue showing until March 9th, 2024.
Tickets: ExperienceTheGift.ca
During the COVID-19 pandemic, long-time Nova Scotia performer Robert Lamar began to ask himself that very question, and his musings soon began to develop into art.
“Robert began to consider what people would want to see after the pandemic. He kept coming back to this destiny or chance question, and he saw a good story there,” says writer and director Robert Ulrich, a renowned Canadian theatre veteran.
“This one-man show needed a good framework. What we came up with is the story of a man discovering a way to prove that question. We kicked things around for a while, and he asked me to write it.”
Ulrich wondered during COVID-19 whether it would change theatre-going forever, but forged forward with faith for this innovative show that encourages audiences to participate.
“It’s about Robert discovering experiments his grandfather did about chance vs. destiny, and ways of proving and disproving these theories. As a practitioner of theatre, I wondered if people would ever want to sit beside each other and experience something like this after a pandemic,” he said.
“To have audiences come in, become part of the show each night, and come be involved like this is really incredible.”
Entertainment production company Brookes Diamond backs The Gift, and company Vice-President Fiona Diamond sees cause for optimism due to the audience reaction.
“It’s been absolutely wonderful to see people coming out. I’m not surprised, as it’s a compelling experience. I don’t want to overemphasize things, but this is a truly original and unique piece,” she said.
“We have known Robert many years. He came up with the concept, and called Brookes and I about finding a producer. After considerable chats, Brooke and I discussed it, and wanted on-board. Robert has an incredible artistic team, and to see everyone believe In this project impressed us.”
Diamond shared concern during the pandemic about whether – or how much – audiences would buy back into in-person experiences once things had settled down.
“To see people coming to this has been enormously gratifying, and given hope. I’ve observed that people want live experiences, and this is an interactive, tremendous way to bring people right into the show,” she said.
“This can’t be duplicated on-screen, or through VR or augmented reality. All of those mediums have their place, but to experience shows with people is so important. This is worth getting out for, it’s at an affordable price, and I have yet to see someone come out who doesn’t have a visceral reaction.”
Robert Lamar spends the show talking to the audience, and the fact he invites people to join experiments to prove or disprove is destiny or chance guides our lives means audiences truly get to be immersed and involved.
“It’s extraordinarily effective, and people get food for thought without this being preachy. In this project, if people want to work within the structure of the experiment, they can. If people want to just watch in awe or wonder, that’s fine,” said director Ulrich.
“In my opinion, theatre can make people believe in magic, and it can transform their lives after a show. To get people thinking like this is really amazing.”
Tickets: ExperienceTheGift.ca
Chief among the reasons the show works, says Ulrich, is the fact they’ve brought in set designers and prop builders formerly from Cirque Du Soleil, and that The Gift has a performer like Robert Lamar guiding audiences.
“Robert is laid-back, charming and he’s just wonderful. He has a great rapport with the audience, and it’s so interesting during this show to see him tell his life story. He leads people through perspectives, to see whether it’s destiny or chance that influences their lives. He really connect with people,” said Ulrich.
“I’m in Hamilton right now, but wish I could go every night. I talk to Robert and the crew, and they’re having a great time. Eventually I’d like to take the show on the road. Right now, theatre-goers want to see musicals, comedies, and things that make them go ‘wow’. This one has the ability to capture their imaginations.”
It’s done in the basement of St. Andrew’s Church Hall, and has been showing since January 26th, 2024. Ulrich says the venue has been great.
“We have transformed that small room in the basement of the church into a black-box theatre. We are so lucky to have such amazing humans working on the set and behind-the-scenes. The church has been so amenable with letting us create a space, and they love what we’re trying to do,” he said.
At the end of the day, The Gift provides something audiences may truly be seeking right now – Escapism at its finest.
“People can come to this show, and get embroiled in one issue: Destiny or chance. Life can be difficult these days, and people want to just focus on what’s right in front of them sometimes,” said Ulrich.
“The world is complicated, so we can offer people a truly unique experience. We’re so happy we’ve been given an extension, and now more people can see it. ”The Gift will show Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the next two weekend – February 29th to March 2nd, 2024, and March 7th to 9th. To get tickets to a performance, visit https://experiencethegift.ca/
