Now on stage at Hope United Church 2550 Danforth Avenue (at Main Street)
“Nolan Moberly delivers a grounded, truthful, theatrical performance of comedy, pathos, sadness and hope. May Darrell Dennis’s story be another avenue for us to move closer to Truth and Reconciliation.”
According to Barrie’s Talk is Free Theatre (TIFT) website, ‘Tales of an Urban Indian’ has toured internationally since its premiere in 2009. The production has played in cities and smaller communities across Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Surinam, and Japan.
I’ve never had the opportunity to experience this incredible depth of character solo work before.
I’m pleased to have had this opportunity.
Other Indigenous artists of note who have also played protagonist Simon Douglas in previous TIFT performances of ‘Tales’ include the playwright Darrell Dennis, Craig Lauzon, Herbie Barnes, Jonathan Fisher, Brendan Chandler, Justin Myers, and Ryan Cunningham.
This time, it’s Nolan Moberly’s turn. He delivers a remarkably grounded, truthful and theatrical performance.
His work is worth the ticket price.
Set in British Columbia, the story follows Simon (sublime work by Nolan Moberly), who grew up on a reserve with no father figure around. Simon was raised by his mother and grandmother. Life was difficult for the three of them. While his mother’s emotional instability periodically made her absent from her son’s life, it was the grandmother who actually instilled bits of wisdom and hope in her grandson.
There’s a move to Vancouver with his mother when she develops a relationship with a man. Nevertheless, Simon is hesitant to go, as his friends are on the reserve. He also feels bad about leaving his grandmother. The move to Vancouver did not turn out well because Simon felt lonely and didn’t care much for his mother’s partner. When the relationship between his mother and the man didn’t work out, mother and son returned to the reserve.
Back on the reserve, Simon continues to endure problems of all kinds, from alcoholism and drugs to getting in trouble with the law. However, when Simon meets an Indigenous woman who works for the Canadian federal government, he thinks he may turn his life around. The final moments focus on wondering whether the relationship between the two will work out.
Talk is Free (TIFT) has previously produced ‘Tales’ on a moving transit bus. That would certainly offer a uniquely different perspective, one I’d like to consider in the future.
This time, the intimate performance space at Hope United Church on Danforth Avenue ignites the journey experience. Kathleen Black’s design of a three-quarter theatre in the round setting offers advantageous sight lines. Shadowy lighting design, at times, strategically highlights some of the intensely graphic storytelling.
Director Herbie Barnes makes good choices. He certainly doesn’t shy away from the ‘in your face, warts and all’ story elements of life on the reserve. Barnes wants the audience to feel uncomfortable and to confront some of the horrific things Simon sees on parts of Vancouver’s Hastings Street.
Moberly is up for his director’s challenge.
He fully engages the audience’s attention as Simon. Moberly wears an open denim T-shirt. Underneath, he wears a Charlie Brown t-shirt at bat, striking out. Comfortable sneakers and pants complete the fashion statement.
While ably portraying some of the ‘seedy’ characters in Simon’s life, Moberly buoyantly moves, darts, jumps, and motors in the space with precision and purpose. He makes eye contact with every single audience member at least once. Moberly even gets up close in the personal space of several people. Not one audience member flinched as they were in awe of what was transpiring in front of them.
Moberly handles several comic moments nicely; however, his masterful work in the dramatic moments becomes one of the highlights of the production. His silent placing of several stones as reminders of influential moments and people in his life sent shivers down my spine. There was no sound from the audience each time Nolan went to place the stone down as a marker of an important event.
‘Tales of an Urban Indian’ is often raw in its display of comic and dramatic elements. Herbie Barnes directs with a clear understanding of the plight of the Indigenous. When it is performed solidly by an actor who makes an audience believe what he says, it’s worth attending the theatre to see a gifted performer showcase his art.
May Darrell Dennis’s script be another avenue for us to move closer to Truth and Reconciliation.
Running time: approximately 70 minutes with no interval/intermission.
The production runs until June 1 at Hope United Church, 2550 Danforth Avenue, Toronto (at Main Street). For tickets, go to tift.ca.
TALK IS FREE THEATRE presents
‘Tales of an Urban Indian’ by Darrell Dennis
Directed by Herbie Barnes
Production Design by Kathleen Black
Production Manager/Stage Manager: Dean Deffett
Performer: Nolan Moberly
