Crowns review - MTC

Last night was the first play of the new MTC season. The first thing the bf and I noticed was that they put in new chairs (or at least, renovated the old ones). It looked sharp. We sat down in our seats (3rd row, front and centre) and admired the set. In the middle was a large wood platform, that curved, so it covered the floor of the stage and also the back wall. On either side, were nearly 100 hats. Mostly colourful, some with flowers, all were women's hats.

The play started with music - on one side of the stage was a keyboardist, on the other, a percussionist with a drum set. Then, a song. There was a lot of singing in this play, but it was not your typical musical! These were songs from the South. Gospel songs, sung in the deep, melodic voices of women of colour.

The main story line is about a girl whose brother has been shot, and who has been sent down South to live with her grandma. To be honest, I can barely remember the story. This play seemed to focus on the telling of the story, as opposed to the actual plot.

That doesn't mean I didn't like it, because I did. I loved hearing the characters sing. I loved to watch them move and dance across the stage. I was enraptured by them - the characters they portrayed were strong and beautiful.

This play doesn't tell a story - it paints a picture. A living, breathing, colourful picture.

Rating: (out of 5)