Review: (Toronto) 7 Important Things (SummerWorks)

The Illustrious 60s
by Winna Tse
@tsewinna

Oh the 60s. What a decade it was. 7 Important Things explores this illustrious decade, and the ones that follow, through the life of George Acheson, also performer, collaborator and writer. As a teenager in the 60s, he defied the traditional ways of his family, followed the hippie movement and as a result got kicked out of his home by his father. The years that follow prove difficult as he struggles to fight the status quo in an ever growing capitalist society. Written, performed and directed by Nadia Ross and brought to us by STO Union and the National Arts Centre English Theatre co-production association with W.A.C., 7 Important things is an unusual dramaturgy that combines narration, improvised discussions and enactments. 

The improvised discussions are the most unusual and seem somewhat like an excerpt from Ted Talks but are in fact my favourite parts of the play. It provides some comic relief and much needed light hearted discussion from an otherwise intense and heartbreaking story. It's a story about a man that seeks to find himself in a world that is becoming more amoral, individualistic and superficial. Deep at its core, it is also a story about a man trying to reconcile his past with his deceased father, a father whom after all these years, continues to shape the man that he is today. A story as great as this, is somewhat spoiled in a haphazardly strung together production. It's a play that proves be too ambitious for its own good. The style and tone of each scene is so different that it loses the tempo and spirit of the story. On the other hand, it's a play that gets us thinking. It gets us thinking about the type of world we now live in and what exactly we're living for and with whom. Is the world really a better place than before? How can we learn from our past and shape a better future?

7 Important Things is at SummerWorks