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Brooks Secondary School drama takes risks

Play deals with subjects and morality relevant to today’s world
brooks play
ON THE EDGE: Cast members of Brooks Secondary School’s production of Morris Panych’s dark comedy 7 Stories are ready to open this week for a three-night run at Max Cameron Theatre. Dave Brindle Photo

Morris Panych’s dark comedy 7 Stories opens with his protagonist, called simply Man, standing precariously on the ledge of a building in an unnamed Canadian city in present day. Man appears distraught and takes a step forward, as though to end it all in suicide.

That is how the dark comedy begins. It is Brooks Secondary School’s annual drama, presented on May 12, 13 and 14 at Max Cameron Theatre.

Brenda Laycock, the school’s drama teacher and director, had originally planned to do Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. She didn’t have enough students, so decided to do 7 Stories instead.

“It’s witty. It’s fast. It’s a fun piece for a small cast to really work on character building, and also timely for the messages,” she said, before pausing to add, “as long as people don’t think it’s okay to play with guns and to harm someone else.”

Vancouver-based Panych is one of Canada’s most well-known playwrights; 7 Stories is his most often produced play, although one which is not frequently tackled by high schools.

Laycock admits to taking a risk with the play. She has given it an advisory for content suitable for ages 12 and over because of the controversial nature of some of its subject matter.

“I’m opening myself for some criticism in the first window scene because it’s warped. There are warped people in the world,” said Laycock. “There are a lot of people looking outside of themselves for this thrill.”

As the play progresses, Man’s attempt to step from the ledge is constantly being interrupted as windows open and close to the seven stories on the seventh story. In many cases, the characters ignore his presence and the precariousness of his mental state. Some even join the man out on the edge.

Laycock believes the play is timely. “It turned out to be the right play because I think a lot of people right now do have this feeling that it would be easier to jump,” she said. Laycock credits her cast for working very hard.

The cast and crew are Max Chiasson, Regan Danks, Owen Scott, Jordan Baird, David Nadalini, Michael Munday, Nicholas Waug, Calum Leask, Mark Lindenthaller, Ruihui Sun, Stephanie Pearse and Jay Baird. 

Baird, who is 16 years old and in grade 10, enjoys being in the character she plays. Her character Charlotte, a poet, has a twisted romantic relationship with Rodney, played by Leask. Baird also plays the old lady.

“The hardest part is playing the old lady when I have to wither myself,” said Baird. “It really feels like I’m dying.”

On the other hand, she found it easy to memorize the lines for her two roles. “I just started at a job,” said Baird. “I’ve had to memorize a lot of things lately and it’s really helped with my memory. I’m really enjoying it.”

Laycock said the moral message of the play comes from the 100-year-old lady at the end of the play, played by Baird. “Let’s find a way to fly, let’s get our wings, let’s open up and become awake, because it’s an attitude, it’s a way of living,” said Laycock.

7 Stories runs from Thursday, May 12, to Saturday, May 14, at 7 pm at Max Cameron Theatre. Tickets are $10 each and available at Brooks’ front office, or one hour before show time at the door.