What to Do in Vancouver: See a Grown-Up Play
We’d like to welcome our newest regular contributor Gwen Floyd, who has the scoop on what to do in Vancouver.
What to do in Vancouver: Date Night Edition
The Exquisite Hour, originally scheduled to run as part of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company’s inaugural Recital Hall Series in the 2011/2012 Season, was cancelled after the Playhouse’s sudden closure on March 10, 2012. The production was quickly moved from the Vancouver Playhouse Recital Hall to the Arts Club Revue Stage on Granville Island, and rescheduled for a May run. When co-producer Jessie Van Rijn, of The Relephant Theatre Co-op, asked if I would like to come to opening night I jumped at the chance to get out with my husband and without the kids. If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver on date night, this play is a perfect fit.
The Exquisite Hour
“Are you satisfied with what you know?” A simple question doesn’t always have a simple answer. This is the lesson learned on a late summer night in 1962 by confirmed bachelor Zachary Teale. Sweet like lemonade, but cut with a kick of bourbon, Stewart Lemoine’s The Exquisite Hour sees Teale’s world turned upside‐down after meeting a lovely (and mysterious) woman. One lovely hour plays out in real time as the alluring Helen Darimont leads Zachary to question knowledge, imagination, and the value of time.
This two person production starring Josue Loboucane and Nevada Yates Robart takes place on a summer night in Zachary’s backyard. The light-hearted play goes on in real time and shows the connection of these two people throughout The Exquisite Hour where everything changes. This sweet story is brought to life with Josue and Nevada and the awesome chemistry they have with each other.
An Intimate Setting
The set and lighting are lovely with lanterns, lights and the white picket fence. The set design and fence really make it seem like you are spying a little into Zachary and Helen’s lives. You spend the evening watching two people learn more about each other in the course of one hour like you are part of the scenery. I love that this play is in the intimate setting of the Arts Club Revue stage on Granville Island. I am sure I would have still enjoyed the play in a larger venue, but the closeness to the actors really enhanced the overall feel of The Exquisite Hour.
The Exquisite Hour runs from May 2 to May 12, 2012 at the Arts Club Revue Stage on Granville Island, so if it’s on your list of what to do in Vancouver in the near future, you’ll want to get on it. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased through Vancouver Tix or by calling the Box Office at 604.629.8849. Get out for a date night or head out with your friends for a wonderful evening.
Relephant Theatre Co-op
