Two Evenings with Neil LaBute   

Neil LaBute is described as “ an American film director, screenwriter and playwright” (Wikipedia).  His stage works are seldom seen in Vancouver so it is surprising to see two productions running simultaneously that feature his plays.

The first is “Fat Pig” just finishing a short run at Studio 16.  Colin Thomas’ review says most of what has to be said about the production:

http://www.straight.com/arts/765146/emmelia-gordon-radiant-fat-pig

The second is “Subsequent Conversations” presented by the students of Douglas College “Departments of Theatre and Stagecraft & Event Technology” (quite a mouthful) at its Studio venue in New Westminster.

The latter is a collection of one act plays and playlets drawn from longer works.  Based on what I have seen, it seems to be characteristic of LaBute’s plays that he frequently gives us a series of relatively self-contained vignettes rather than a flow.  This explains why a collection like Subsequent Conversations is possible.  And the opening scene of Fat Pig is quite capable of standing on its own (as might some of the other scenes with a bit of adaptation).

Although it was written only ten years ago, Fat Pig felt somehow dated.  In many ways it seemed to reflect a social environment that is now fading fast.  If it is about the characters living in that environment, only Helen, who is central, is memorable and worth caring about.

LaBute has a good ear for language (although he is no Mamet) but it is not always used to best effect.  It can take a painfully long time for many of his scenes to get to the point as he plays with the dialogue.  Pace and economy were often lacking.

The student performances in Subsequent Conversations were up to the job but unhappily suffer by comparison with the more polished work done by Studio 58.  An exception were the performances in the first playlet “Bench Seat” by Thomas Halkes and Jessica Kabesh.  Jessica in particular is a performer to watch.