3... 2... 1...

Speakeasy Theatre explodes onto the Vancouver theatre scene with its inaugural show, 3...2...1.. written by Nathan Cuckow and Chris Craddock.  I have high hopes for this theatre company as many of them are graduates of Langara's esteemed Studio 58 Theatre School.

This first production that they've chosen to step forth with shows an interest in pushing the envelope and bringing thought-provoking theatre to the audience. At first, I wasn't too sure what to expect with "3...2...1..."  This is a story set in smalltown, Alberta (Wetaskiwin, to be exact) and revolves around two young men holed up in their garage just hanging out, shooting the shit. Throw in more than enough booze and drugs, and things get a bit more redneck. Did I really want to see a play where the word "fag" is used several times?

Then I thought okay, well these people exist in the world and maybe this is a slice of their lives. I didn't really need to go to the theatre to witness this, when I could just as easily head out to the suburbs and hold hands with another guy to see what reaction we would elicit. But there's more than meets the eye to "3...2...1..." as the layers unravel before you. We learn that the two boys are in fact going on a bender because it's the day of their best friend's funeral.

Tom Krushkowski saddles up in the role of Clinton, who is tormented by his friend's death and wants to escape through any means necessary. Meanwhile, Markian Tarasiuk does double duty as both Kyle, the weaker third-wheel wimp of the group, and as Danny, the deceased Alpha male that the other two boys aspire to but who struggled with his own inner demons.

The show is intense and the two actors wallop you with terrifically emotional performances. There are issues of race, homophobia, and classism brought up as the characters cope with loss and try to face life living in a small rural Canadian city. In the bright lights of Vancouver, the show is a scene from the other side. But I'd be curious to see what audience reactions would be like in an actual small town with people like these characters who struggle and identify with these very issues.

3...2...1.. is on now at Studio 1398 (Festival House on Granville Island) until November 8th.

Tickets are "pay what you decide" after the show is done, a different kind of model the company is exploring, in an effort to build up an audience and following. So go see the show and then decide how much you want to pay!! You can reserve your "tickets" online!

Photos by Ryan McDonald.