Melodramedy – Closer, Acts to Grind Theatre, Apr. 4-9

Tuesday, April 4 to Sunday April 9 at MainLine Theatre

Set in London 1997, four lives intertwine over the course of four and a half years in this densely plotted, stinging look at modern love and betrayal. Local obituary writer Dan meets Alice, a stripper from America. Eighteen months later, they are a couple and Dan has written a novel inspired by his muse, Alice. While posing for his book-jacket cover, Dan meets Anna, a photographer of aristocratic heritage. He pursues her but she rejects his advances despite their mutual attraction. Larry, a dermatologist, and Dan randomly exchange an anonymous chat in an Internet chat room. Dan, obsessing over Anna, pretends to be her and has cybersex with Larry. They arrange to meet the next day at an aquarium. Larry arrives and so too, coincidentally, does the real Anna. This sets up a series of pass-the-lover scenes in which this quartet struggle to find intimacy, but despite shared truths and kindness, can’t seem to get any closer.

For Director Davyn Ryall, truth is what’s at the heart of the show, “Playwright Patrick Marber challenges his characters to tell their truths, putting them through a true test of faith. However, does the truth bring them closer or does revealing and learning the truth fracture their relationships, pushing them even further apart… »

“… that’s the most stupid expression in the world: ‘I fell in love’. As if you had no choice. There’s a moment, there’s always a moment; I can do this, I can give in to the temptation or I can resist it.” – Alice

For actor Emanuelle Ranger (Alice) what makes Closer an important play is that it is beautifully written, “Each time I read it I discover new details about the characters and their complex relationships. The conversations are captivating, so raw, so real, that reading this play becomes a sensorial experience.” She continues, “Closer means a lot to me because I decided I was going to pursue becoming an actress after working on a scene from this play. It wasn’t an intellectual decision, I just felt it in my body and soul; suddenly I knew that this is what I needed to do.” That the play is being produced is so important to Ranger, “Closer is my favourite contemporary play. I fell in love with the story and with the character, Alice, four years ago. I told myself then that I would love to do the whole play one day. I couldn’t be happier to finally breathe life into this character once again.”

Directed by Davyn Ryall
Featuring: Izak Benrobi, Tommy Furino, Emanuelle Ranger, Kristina Sandev

Assistant Director: Bryan Libero; Set, lighting, costume design, Davyn Ryall; Sound coordination and editing, Ricky Smith; Accent/vocal coach, Julia Lenardon; Projection coordination and editing, Emanuelle Ranger; and Promotional videography and editing, Olivier Ross Parent

« In its cutting contemporary picture of sexual desire and emotional failure, Closer is a brilliantly unusual virtual reality that rings true… » — NY Observer

Seven performances, April 4 to 9:

Preview, Tuesday, April 4, 8PM
Premiere, Wednesday, April 5, 8PM
Thursday to Sunday, 8PM
Matinée, Sunday, April 9, 2PM

MainLine Theatre – MiniMain, 3997 Boul. St-Laurent
(This very intimate venue has limited seating capacity; it is highly recommended to book ahead to avoid disappointment.)

Box Office: MainLine Theatre: 514 849-3378 mainlinetheatre.ca/en/spectacles/closer-0

Tickets: Preview, Reg. $15; Student/Senior $10
Reg. $20; Student/Senior $15 Matinée Reg. $18; Student/Senior $12

« Closer is a sad, savvy, often funny play that casts a steely, unblinking gaze at the world of relationships and lets you come to your own conclusions…Closer does not merely hold your attention; it burrows into you. » — NY Magazine.