Shadowlands

Rating:

Company: Pretentious Productions

Genre: Play - Drama

Venue: 11 Red River College - Roblin Centre

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What do a research scientist, a single cell, a pregnant woman and a lab mouse have in common?

• Winnipeg Fringe 2017: read our reviews

Finding out makes Savanna Harvey'sShadowlandsan intriguing exploration of the promise and perils of science, how we distinguish the real from the unreal, and how we cast light on what's in the shadows.

The seemingly disparate storylines do come together in this slow-burning and inventively staged piece. Harvey works without traditional stage lighting, instead using other light sources a fake candle, glow sticks, a work light, string lights embroidered into a lab coat to illuminate and throw shadows.

The piece itself has some flaws. The tolling bell between the frequent scene shifts becomes repetitious, its pace is sometimes slow, and though it ties together at the end, the choppy nature of the play's structure makes it challenging for the audience to engage fully at first.

Those looking for a Fringe experience that pushes boundaries in its presentation should consider the trip toShadowlands.- Joff Schmidt

But patience is rewarded, and those looking for a Fringe experience that pushes boundaries in its presentation should consider the trip toShadowlands.