There were a lot of empty seats at the Saint Patrick’s Day opening of Daniel MacIvor’s The Soldier Dreams, but with any luck, people will sober up enough over the next couple of days to take in this beautiful little play. MacIvor is a master at writing about complicated relationships, and what could be more complicated than three siblings (one dying of AIDS), one in-law, and one gay lover brought together at a death bed? The people who are holding the bedside vigil all get an opportunity to address the audience directly in “moments for David”—the dying brother. What is fascinating is that they end up revealing more about themselves than the man they are eulogizing. Although the failing, corporal David only mutters snippets like “match book” and “Ottawa”, the audience gets to know more about who he was and what's important to him as the memory of a past romantic encounter plays out above the sick room. It’s a well staged bit of theatre with a terrific ensemble cast.
When: Through March 20, 8 p.m.
Price: $5/$7
Where: The Pit, Arts and Administration Building, University of King's College, 6350 Coburg