A man dressed from the eighteen hundreds standing between two brain charts hanging on a wall.

The 'sizer' offers his wisdom in That Elusive Spark, on until Dec 2. Credit: L. Norman

Lighting Up the Stage: The Magic of That Elusive Spark

Opening Night of the Theatre Program’s Mainstage Production

November 28, 2024 —

An exceptional tale that is funny, emotional, and thought-provoking, That Elusive Spark, by playwright Janet Munsil, seamlessly blends the past and present. I had the honour of attending the opening night performance by students of the Department of English, Theatre, Film & Media’s Theatre program on November 27, 2024.

The play pairs the story of a neuroscientist who is experiencing mental health challenges, Dr. Helen Harlow (played by Martina Caceres) with the true story of Phineas Gage (played by Sam Fergus), a construction foreman in 1848 Vermont who inexplicably survived an explosion that shot an iron rod through his head. After the explosion, Gage’s personality undergoes a complete transformation, marked by angry outbursts and inappropriate behaviors and comments. Dr. John Harlow (played by Kezia Obaseki), the doctor tending to Gage and a distant relative of Dr. Helen Harlow, intertwines the two stories, connecting their experiences.

I appreciated the use of the Thrust stage – a design that extends into the audience on three sides, immersing the spectators and blurring the line between the performers and audience. The performers did a remarkable job of transitioning between the past and present, drawing the audience into the experience by seamlessly entering through various entrances, making them feel like active participants in the show.

The parallels between Dr. Helen Harlow’s and Phineas Gage’s circumstances, both transformed by changes to their brains, powerfully highlighted the complexities of the human experience. The play does an excellent job of exploring how those around Gage are affected by the changes in his personality. This is vividly portrayed through his workmate and friend, Jack Kirwin (played by Fallon Waddell), who suffers from PTSD after witnessing the accident and his lover, Sophie Kirwin (played by Bronwyn Moll), who has a more tragic outcome that I won’t spoil here.

This play offers something for everyone, seamlessly binding elements of psychology and neuroscience, comedy, the complexities of the human mind, mental health, a touch of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and even musical moments.

Congratulations to the show director Dr. Katrina Dunn and the students of the Theatre program for another brilliant production. Best of luck with the remaining performances!

Don’t miss your opportunity to watch this riveting performance! Tickets for the show can be purchased online through Eventbrite for only $10.00 (plus Eventbrite fees).