Reconstruction Site

Reconstruction Site ***
Llyandra's script falls into the "all talk no action" category of plays. What begins as an interesting concept - a homeless person advertising to provide help for others - winds up as a therapy session with little evidence of a story. On the positive side, there are some redeeming bits of dialogue that explores the idea of empathy. Surprisingly, the humour comes more from Caitlin's performance than it does from the script. This play was in serious need of dramaturgy which Josh must take some responsibility for. I will say it was a brave choice to go with the empty space (does that really qualify for set design?) and Josh maintained an adequate use of it, but it was definitely crying for more. Given the fact that the "set" seemed contained in the grocery cart, there was a missed opportunity at drawing more props/aids from it. Clearly the foam hand was an audience pleaser, and that could have been an integral part of the play: visual aids the homeless person continues to pull out of the cart in order to "help" the corporate client. In fact, the theme of "relying on props" (i.e. "crutches") in our lives could have helped to hammer the homeless woman's point home even further. I was also surprised that the script did not take more advantage of the fact that they were two female characters - the text seemed to not really address sex or gender - not that it had to make a "big" issue of either, but as any feminist would argue (and I would tend to agree)…gender is ALWAYS an issue and thus could have informed another layer to the characters. Mia’s and Caitlin’s performances were for the most part well executed but also suffered occasionally from weak pacing. Costumes were appropriate - absolutely loved the Presbyterian shirt. And Reconstruction Site wins the gold medal for best entrance of a character in the Fringe Festival: Caitlin being wheeled on inside the cart.