Red Sky Performance is known for its creativity and innovation. Raven Stole the Sun, their current production at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, shows very little of either. The story itself is wonderfully engaging, and is based upon a Tlingit Nation story of how the trickster Raven steals the sun, moon and stars, and brings light to the people of the world. What is not so engaging is what happens to the story once artistic director Sandra Laronde and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor filter it through a modern lens. There is a sense that the play is trying hard to connect with the children, almost desperately so, but chooses unclever, methods (such as a rap music song) to do so. Other modern references are more original but delivered with as little grace or skill.
When the performance stuck to the traditional elements of the story, however, it was quite good. Michael Dufays has the high energy level to sustain the manic presence of Raven, while Ms. Laronde’s calm portrayal of Seik provided him with a foundation upon which to play from. Raven is a trickster, and thus requires plenty of room to clown about the stage. Most of the play consisted of that clowning, which is what makes the story so successful with children. Hidden among the action, though, were small gems in the performance, such as Carlos Rivera’s transformation from old age to youth during his dance. The gems may not have been enough to reconcile where the performance goes wrong, but caught up in the moment of Raven’s sacred play, the children in the audience seemed much more willing than me to overlook the missteps.
Raven Stole the Sun is playing on the studio stage of the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People until October 21. The show is recommended for children ages 5-11. For more information or to purchase tickets online, go to www.Lktyp.ca, or call the box office at 416 862-2222. ~ robis
