Review: Intensely entertaining, ‘The Invisible’ uses sound and fury to make a good show great
Photo Credits: The Invisible – Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ written, composed, and directed by Jonathan Christenson. Company of ‘The Invisible.’ Set, lighting, costumes and projection design by Bretta Gerecke. Sound Design by Matthew Skopyk. (Photo by Dahlia Katz).
It might not be perfect, but this is what the future of musical theatre looks like.
A spartan set, jaw-dropping light and sound design and one of the most stellar ensembles to ever grace the Persephone Theatre stage — Catalyst Theatre’s The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a standout modern musical theatre endeavour.
The script by Jonathan Christenson (who also wrote the music and directed the show) is richly entertaining. The show follows six women recruited in England to be spies in World War II France and their spymaster. The merits of a female spy cell is doubted early and regularly, but the women constantly prove to themselves and their superiors that they are just as capable as the men — as the terrible realities of war set in all around them.
It cannot be stressed enough that a small ensemble musical lives and dies on the strength of the ensemble more than it does on the strength of the writing or directing. Christenson’s writing is solid if unevenly paced and the overall direction is creative, but this cast makes what would otherwise be a good show become something verging on spectacular.
It must be said the show is gorgeous. Kudos to set, light, costume and projection designer Bretta Gerecke and sound designer Matthew Skopyk, who deserve just as much credit as any cast member for making this show a success. This is A-plus design work that is impossible to take your eyes off. The light and sound design define the show with bold flavour, creating stark and contrasting scenes.
The seven women in the show play their parts incredibly well, adding a physicality to each character that helps set them apart from each other. Chariz Faulmino as the streetwise singer Madeline, Amanda Trapp as the Canadian nurse-turned-explosives-expert Betty and Tahirih Vejdani’s portrayal of the honest and steadfast telegraph operator Anna really stood out with their performances, but each and every part of the six-woman spy cell deserve praise for their magnificent ensemble work.