David Yee’s Paper Series

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Paper Series
Cahoots Theatre Company
Written by David Yee
Directed by Nina Lee Aquino
Performed by Byron Abalos, Kawa Ada, Rebecca Applebaum, Marjorie Chan, Nicco Lorenzo Garcia and Rosa Laborde
Young Centre
Mar. 21 to Apr. 09, 2011

Cahoots Theatre Company’s Paper Series is a wonderful and imaginative production. It’s a definite walk, don’t run.

Cahoots’ mandate is the exploration of the multicultural mosaic, which is featured in David Yee’s play in the most cunning way. Paper Series is made up of what are essentially six monologues that feature paper – that’s right, paper – which includes forged bank notes, a Dear John letter, paper dolls, fortunes inside fortune cookies, origami, and the medical certificates of immigrant cab drivers. Intriguing, yes?

Director Nina Lee Aquino has created a wonderful circle for her actors. Each gets to speak his or her monologue, but it is how Aquino brings in the other five that is so exquisite.

There is not a false note in the multicultural cast who perform this series of mini-plays that run the gamut from poignant to more poignant, all with a touch of humour.

This play is not to be missed.

Paper Series continues at the Young Centre until Apr. 9.