Theatre NorthWest’s production of The Shoplifters by Morris Paynch will leave you with a smile on your face.
A true heartfelt comedy with a poignant message, Theatre NorthWest expertly transports you into the world of a grocery store stockroom, filled with dark humour, abused situations and four sharp-witted misfit characters.
We meet Alma, a career shoplifter who prefers the “five-finger discount” over any senior citizen’s deal.
However, it's not just an empty wallet that leads Alma to a life of petty crime - it's also her strong convictions about social justice and economic inequality.
Alma is played by actress Erla Forsyth, whose performance will have you laughing out loud as she truly embodies Alma’s sharp wit and with perfect comedic timing.
Her dry, sardonic humour is contrasted by her accomplice and friend Phyllis, played by Cheryl Hutton, who is more frazzled to be found caught shoplifting at a major grocery chain.
It's Alma who does the talking when the pair is apprehended at the grocery store by Dom, played by actor and musician Teo Saefkow, an overzealous rookie security guard on his first shift.
He’s also guided by the strictness of his born-again Christian belief, and ready to handcuff the culprits and call the police.
Dom is being mentored and sometimes reigned in, by his affable senior partner Otto, who ends up having quite a different view of the crime.
Making his Theatre NorthWest debut, actor Declan O’Reilly plays Otto and his years of working as a seasoned voice over actor with multiple TV and film credits are apparent in his exemplary performance.
The chemistry and back-and-forth banter between Alma and Otto is superbly entertaining. I also personally enjoyed the strong language in this play – sometimes a punchline is just that much better with a few curse words thrown in.
However, not only is the play simply funny and enjoyable to watch but as Alma, Phyllis, Dom, and Otto share their wildly different takes on the situation, complex views on morality and ethics begin to emerge.
Its underlying message is subtle enough that it’s the kind of story you can chew on afterwards, if you want to, or just simply enjoy the absurdity of the situation at face value.
I did think the themes were very relevant as we’re currently watching inflation raise prices on almost every grocery staple, so Alma’s Robin-hood like antics don’t seem wildly unfathomable in this day and age.
The set is also incredible. Set designer Hans Saefkow transformed the stage into a grocery store stockroom with boxes of various products stacked to the ceiling.
With exit signs, a fire extinguisher, and breakroom table, no small detail was forgotten. It really does feel like you are watching four people bicker over stolen steaks in the backroom of a grocery store.
I came to watch this play not knowing to much about and it and was delighted with everything: the storyline, the script, the set and especially the performances.
The play was directed by Kevin McKendrick who has had 45 years of experience working in the arts as a performer, administrator, director and educator.
This is his fifth visit to Theatre NorthWest where previously he directed Billy Bishop Goes to War, Joyful Noise, Becky’s New Car, and Bemused.
In the program, Theatre NorthWest’s artistic associates write that theatre is about one thing: being entertained.
And they hope you remember as a fantastic night out, something worth talking about to your friends and family and something worth coming back to again and again.
I think with The Shoplifters, they have definitely achieved this.
The Shoplifters runs until March 8 and tickets are available through Theatre NorthWest's webstie.
