TRYST is a titillating and inspiring delight.

Tryst a wonderful first class theatrical experience…this drama takes the audience on unexpected psychological twists and turns. An intriguingly stylized production that is pure artistic delight from start to finish it is played out in a soothing yet suspenseful storytelling style by the two lone actors: David Johnson (George Love) and Michelle Giroux (Adelaide Pinchin. Each shares a mutually elevated degree and abundance of talent all too rarely seen on our local stages. They have a strong chemistry made obvious by how they share the space and together fill the stage from left to right. They portray their characters by bringing them to life with the physical precision of their performances and with the aid of a clever use of projection, original music, period costumes, and seamless blocking throughout.

The stage, trimmed with fringe and furnished sparingly with transparent modern pieces, contrasting period props, and a single too small bed, are all incredibly well thought out in the set design by Astrid Janson and Sherri Catt, who's design incorporates another character into the story telling. It is utilized with gentle simplicity by the actors to transition from a milliner shop on 1910 London street corner to a sea-side hotel room. The lighting adds a mysterious flare to the building the tension, but at times gets too dark and shadowy to clearly see the performers expressions upstaging their performances becoming somewhat of a distraction; A little less would be more here, keeping in tune with the overall simplicity of the style of the production.

I assisted to a Sunday matinee performance; the experience felt much like attending a New York off-Broadway matinée. An early schedule of 1:30pm adds to the pleasant and not rushed experience. However, even though one of the youngest members of the audience, which was obviously very, very senior, I too was becoming anxious for the doors to open as the play didn’t actually start until 2pm. A suggestion to FOH: posting somewhere near the staircase which entrance is odd and which is even seat numbers could eliminate a lot of mulling and shuffling around between the two staircases in the lobby. This note goes to all the major houses.

Tryst written by Karoline Leach and masterfully directed by Diana Leblanc continues March 29th at the Segal Centre to, 5170 Côte Ste. Catherine Rd, until March 29. Tickets: 514-739-7944 or 514-790-1245. Photo credit: Randy Cole