Roy Surette makes a big splash on the Centaur stage with Maddy Heisler

The Mystery of Maddy Heisler
By Daniel Lillford

Roy Surette makes a big splash with his first production as Artistic Director at Centaur Theatre with this mysteriously dark play set in Nova Scotia. The play is filled with good humour to help shed light on the story of Jacob a 17 year old WW2 navy cadet who falls in love with a older 30 year old European women, Maddy Heisler. The affair is brief; As is act one, lasting under 50 minutes with one of the most amazingly dramatic theatre moments I’ve ever seen on stage to end it. We are left suspecting that the woman was actually a German spy, and that she is now dead and may be haunting Jacob and his war time buddy.

In act two, also approximately 50 minutes, many years later a young German woman arrives in the area seeking out the now aging, Jacob. The women delivers to him the private journal of her grandmother, the contents of which open a door to the past and answer many questions stil being asked in the present. It reveals what really happened between Maddy and Jacob, and after her disappearance.

It is difficult to review a mystery without giving away too much of the plot. Suffice it to say the reveal is not predicable and neither is anything else about this production. An amazing set and lighting bring us to the 1940's Nova Scotia ocean shores as easily as the current home of Jacob where he lives with his ‘colored’ wife. The plays subject matter covers many issues including: innocence, love, deceit, racism, friendship and family.
Great direction with attention to pacing and blocking, with impeccable performances delivered from the ensemble of perfectly cast actors make this production as entertaining as it is interesting. Playing at Centaur to April 20.

Directed by Roy Surette

Starring:

Kent Allen

Patrick Costello

Michael Chiasson

Phyllis Gooden

Gregory Prest

Patricia Summersett



Set & Costume Design: Anne-Séguin Poirier

Lighting Design: Spike Lyne