It’s in the bag
The Room: Lunch B.H.A.G.G. opening show is sure to entertain
Ryan Hladun, Volunteer Staff
Packed full of fresh-faced first- year theatre students, aspiring directors, and saucy scripts, the University of Manitoba’s Black Hole Theatre Company offers a “Lunch B.H.A.G.G.” series opener that promises a hearty meal of entertainment.
The Lunch B.H.A.G.G. shows consist of five one-act plays that are performed over the course of the season, designed to give students a chance to gain experience before moving onto bigger shows.
“Lunch B.H.A.G.G.s are meant to draw in first-year theatre students to act, and second, third, and fourth-year students who want a chance at directing,” said Sandi Krahn, a theatre student and director.
The first of the series of noon hour productions taking place in the basement of University College is The Room, a dark comedy written by acclaimed British writer-director Harold Pinter.
Krahn pounced on the opportunity to helm the show. The Room is her directorial debut.
“It was the perfect opportunity to gain experience,” she said.
She describes the play as a comedy of menace. The basic situation of the play surrounds a single set — a simple room. Two characters, Rose and her husband, Bert, occupy this room, and are content with the comfort zone they have created. The “menace” is the fear growing inside of Rose that she may be forced into a cold and scary outside world.
Pinter is one of many 20th century playwrights who studied in the university’s theatre program. Krahn said she chose a Pinter work to direct because it was seemingly simple — just two characters and one setting. She was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be far from easy after the first few rehearsals.
“There is so much going on with each character. Lots and lots of subtext with each pause, each silence,” she said.
“I probably should have chosen a more simple playwright for my first show, but hey, who doesn’t love a challenge, right?”
In any case, Krahn is excited about the opportunity to direct The Room.
“The more rehearsals we have and the more research I do on the play, the more I love it,” she said.
“The audience will laugh, I hope, and then there will be times they won’t dare to laugh,” she said. “It is comedic at times, yet when the menace comes through the door it is chilling!”
The Room plays October 11 to 13 at noon at the Black Hole Theatre, located in the basement of University College. Admission is free.
For those interested in finding out more about the Black Hole Theatre Company, including upcoming auditions and show dates, call 474-9581.
