Theatre Review – Oct. 20, 09 TheatreFront – The Mill Part II: Hannah Moscovitch’s The Huron Bride

reviewed by Paula Citron
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The Mill Part II: The Huron Bride
Theatrefront
Written by Hannah Moscovitch
Directed by Christian Barry
Photo by: Chris Gallow. Ryan Hollyman as James MacGonigal and Michelle Monteith as Hazel Sheehan
Starring Maev Beaty, Eric Goulem, Richard Greenblatt, Ryan Hollyman, Michelle Latimer, Holly Lewis and Michelle Monteith
At the Young Centre until Oct. 24
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Daryl Cloran’s Theatrefront takes on daring projects. The latest venture, in collaboration with actor/playwright Matthew MacFadzean, is a four part cycle under the collective title The Mill.

The flashpoint is events at a lumber mill in Upper Canada that goes right to the heart of repression in Canadian colonial history. The unusual twist is that each play, while meant to stand alone, has a different writer and director, and a different time period. The excellent cast remains constant throughout.

Because I was travelling, I saw Part II first in a preview. Hannah Moscovitch’s The Huron Bride is a fabulously creepy ghost story that director Christian Barry, set designer Gillian Gallow, lighting designer Andrea Lundy and sound designer Richard Feren have filled with goose bump inducing special effects. Moscovitch also raises troubling questions about Aboriginal land rights.

In other words, this compelling play is total theatre, both visually and intellectually.

The Mill Part II: The Huron Bride continues at the Young Centre until Oct. 24.