playland | responses

"On all counts, a superb production. Both Micheal Kaposa and Tom Pickett gave brilliant performances and the work behind the scenes was equally masterful. I brought my 3 young teenagers to introduce them to the potential richness of small theatre, and was thrilled to see them engaged in something quite off their radar. No small accomplishment. Great job delivering an important message. Really enjoyable." - David Evans (audience email)

"Loved it. Right up there with Master Harold, in the top 10 PT shows of all time, and that's 25 plus years my friends, a long time for any small theatre in this town. Kudos to Anthony, Tom, and Micheal, three of my favorite thespians, and crew. I took a friend. The emotional journeys of these two men from Confrontation to Revelation and Redemption - we were right there the whole way. So human, so well crafted. Tight and telling. Deeply satisfying artistically - story-wise, truth-wise and emotionally. The climax and resolution to this production hits you right in the gut, twists, and then liberates you. Not a note contrived." Karl Petersen

"Director Ingram gets the tension right as the two men gradually let their stories emerge, with both Kopsa and Pickett delivering solid performances ... I was completely engrossed in the play and Gideon's experiences on the border ... a good production and a play worth seeing, especially because of that relevance to our times." | Gillian Lockitch, Review from the House

"A couple of actors, a barren setting, and a single confrontation. This is by far the most powerful and the most beautiful play I have ever seen." | Grace Tu, arts blogger

"Just wanted to thank you for/congratulate you on Playland. We saw it tonight, and I'm so glad we did - I had seen it here years ago, but didn't remember much from the last production.
I'm often frustrated (with myself) coming out of a play when I know the story didn't 'get me' like I know it was meant to. Tonight, I was got. There were snot and tears.
The design elements were gorgeous, the actors fantastic, and the story, beautiful. Simple, and so gripping. The kind of theatre that makes me so grateful for Pacific Theatre." | Rebecca DeBoer

"Playland is powerful, hard-hitting and asks us to weigh the passionate revenge killing of one man against the cold-blooded slaughter of 27 freedom fighters; it's no playground, but Fugard does leave a spark of hope." | Jo Ledingham, The Vancouver Courier

"This is some of the best acting you'll see on any stage in our city. Honestly, if you have a cultural bone in your body you'll buy a ticket for you and someone else and go. Michael Kopsa and Tom Pickett star in this south african play by Athol Fugard - its a deeply human story." Rory Holland

"I loved it. Two amazing actors on an amazing set. I can't believe they got the South African accents down so well yet so understandable! Very moving. Thank you for bringing plays like this." Marianne Mendgen

"Playland is a thought-provoking story of redemption that should be of interest to anyone fascinated by politics, history and the continuum of humanity." | John Jane, Review Vancouver

"The actors – Michael Kopsa and Tom Pickett – were absolutely excellent. They had tough and meaty roles full of emotion and heavy in dialogue and they played them beautifully and with such strength and conviction. Similarly, the set dec was impressive. Drew Facey should be commended on the thought and creativity that was put into this." | Emme Rogers, Being Emme

"There's some powerful storytelling in Playland." | Kathleen Oliver, The Georgia Straight

"Very moving. A lot of the truth about South Africa made evident. I am married to a South African and I believe the circumstances in that country remain much the same." | Sylvia Mandryk, Email

"Drew Facey’s set design is a marvel complete with what must be a truckload of gravel and the fraying fringes of the amusement park. Jeff Tymoshuk gives us both a quiet exterior soundscape and the full-on noise of the midway." | Mark Robins, GayVancouver.net

"play good. go see." | anon