“A quirky and strangely captivating story that kept my interest until the end. Hilariously frightening.
It’s interesting how, even in the theatre, a production that might have you scratching your head in puzzlement makes you want to stick around to see what’s going to happen.
In Garrett M. Ryan’s play Pigeon!, it’s essential to stay engaged until the very end. The script may not make complete sense, as it presents a breakdown of a tortured mind afflicted by delusion. However, Ryan’s quirky and intriguing writing brings a sense of completeness to the story, showing that things have come full circle. It’s important to note that this resolution is not tidy or pleasant—there’s a significant amount of blood involved.
Pigeon! is set in North York, Toronto, and features characters who frequently break the fourth wall to engage with the audience. John (Robert Leitner) wears a sharp dark suit complemented by a striking blood-red dress shirt, a black tie, and black shoes. His makeup is reminiscent of the Joker from the Batman films, featuring a stark white base with heavy, diamond-shaped black eye shadow over his eyelids, which certainly makes him stand out. As the performance progresses, John’s makeup begins to run. When he takes off his suit coat, the blood-red dress shirt becomes noticeably damp with perspiration. Yes, it’s hot in the auditorium, and I could feel the heat as well. Whether this is intentional as part of the dramatic experience or not, the sight of a sweating man remains visually impactful.
John remains haunted by inherited trauma stemming from the bullying he endures at school and from his mother, played nicely by Tipelo Hildebrand. The audience doesn’t discover the nature of this trauma until the end, and the revelation is not comforting. In a chilling act reminiscent of Victor Frankenstein’s creation from Mary Shelley’s classic novel, John constructs a companion from dead birds. He spirals into a frenzied and nightmarish world filled with obsession, decay, and revelation. Hildebrand, along with Alice Marin and Natalie Pepe-Francis, play a variety of characters from John’s past. Their portrayal of pigeons and other birds is both amusing and unsettling. As the story unfolds and the truth becomes clear, this bird mimicry takes on a darker tone, far removed from its initial humor.
The intimacy of the Assembly Theatre suggests that minimalism is best. There is a worn-looking park bench with a well-beaten trunk positioned at center stage, off to the right. The characters bring on necessary props as part of the story.
Co-directed by Robert Leitner and Garrett M. Ryan Abrams, the production moves at a steady pace without feeling rushed. The performances are uniquely eccentric, which adds to the intrigue of the story. I remained engaged with the plot because I wanted to see where it was going.
Leitner never allows his John to go out of control, which is beneficial for the story. If he did, then Pigeon! would lose much of its dramatic impact. Although Leitner initially reminds viewers of the Joker from Batman, there’s more to it. Think of American Psycho (which still gives me chills) or Sweeney Todd (I shudder whenever Todd embarks on his mission). Just as the bloodshed in American and Sweeney might make audiences laugh out of discomfort about what has just occurred, Leitner’s careful control amid the redness adds depth to the narrative.
An often hilarious and horrific cross between Sweeney Todd, Frankenstein, and American Psycho, peppered with a bit of the darkness of Hitchcock and Batman, Pigeon! is somewhat hilarious and often gleefully frightening. It’s not what one might expect, but then again, theatre frequently isn’t what one might expect.
Interesting theatre of peculiarity is often worth a look.
As is this Pigeon! Make sure you go in with an open mind.
Running time: approximately 80-85 minutes with no interval/intermission.
A quick run, ‘Pigeon!‘ runs until August 24 at the Assembly Theatre, 1479 Queen Street West, Toronto. For tickets: https://www.tixtree.com/e/bird-on-stages-pigeon-944d1b2b0e12
BIRD ON STAGE PRODUCTIONS presents
‘Pigeon!’ A Play by Garrett M. Ryan
Co-Director: Robert Leitner
Co-Director: Garrett M. Ryan Abrams
Sound Designer: Garret M. Ryan Abrams
Lighting Designer: Robert Leitner
Performers: Tipelo Hildebrand, Robert Leitner, Alice Marin, Natalie Pepe-Francis,
