Fabulous Footprints Feature in Bigfoot!
Reviewed by Patricia Black
Myth or real – stories about Bigfoot go back a thousand years. And the story continues with the play Bigfoot! now on stage at Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Researcher–primatologist Dr. Abagail Franklin, Podcast creator Jake Beckett and his intern Leaf Gosling meet deep in the British Columbia forest, to hunt an elusive Bigfoot. Jake hopes to persuade Abagail to work with him.
Scientist from head to toe, Abagail, and Jake, whose sole intent is to entertain his audience, have crossed paths before, hold differing opinions and hotly disagree with each other. Leaf, an idealistic, kindly lad, idolizes both Abagail and Jake.
Abagail’s unbending, strictly scientific goal is to prove that Bigfoot exists. She needs to validate her scientific research. Jake is hunting for entertainment for his Podcast followers and Leaf wants to please his two heroes. Interactions between the three hunters take twists and turns, and the action is fast-paced and lively.
Is Bigfoot real or a mythical creature? As the play unfolds, the audience holds its breath, speculating as to whether the answer to the age-old question will be revealed.
Actor Murray Furrow, now in his directing debut, and his cast bring plausible life to a well-crafted script. Each of the characters is believable, and Esther Chung as Abagail is particularly impressive. Reid Janisse (Jake) and Mark Kreder (Leaf) are both convincing in their roles. Janisse might consider moderating the volume and speed of his speech for more subtle effect.
Set designer Eric Bunnell’s forest hideaway is excellent – details are all as they should be, small wood cabin, with “smoke” puffing out of the stove pipe chimney, an outhouse complete with star “window” carved in the door, a fire pit, all surrounded by ancient trees, and a battered “BC Parks” notice, pinned to one, warns “NO TRESPASSING,” and “Private Property.” There’s even an outdoor shower contraption hooked on another gnarled tree. An initially blank panel on the backdrop provides some intriguing revelations from time to time. And the audience is able to imagine the nose-wrinkling whiffiness each time one of the characters exits the biffy!
Lighting designer Karen Crichton and video designer Joe Recchia complement the set design. The soundscape includes snippets of topical songs between scenes, the first being “Magic Moments” conjured by Leaf’s belief that Bigfoot is, in fact, a mythical, magical creature. Birds twitter in the trees, at night an owl hoots.
Props expert Doug Cottrell has thought of everything, while Alex Amini’s costume design is exactly fitting for a group of diverse hunters in the wilds – Leaf’s “Jake’s Podcast”-embossed tee is a nice touch.
As the mystery deepens, the search takes two of the actors off stage to mingle with audience members. The ensuing audience participation was definitely the comedic highlight of the play.
Full of action, fun, and moving, with often unexpected detours, the audience loves this play. The hunters’ inner growth and their developing interactions never falter; the dialogue is realistic throughout. Little tricks abound, and magical mystery offers some timely insights into our humanity. Magic and myth, science and entertainment all have their place. And footprints do as well!
Bigfoot! by Ephraim Ellis continues at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre (PSFT) until August 24. Tickets are available at the PSFT box office at 519-782-4353 or 1-855-782-4353, or visit https://psft.ca.
Photo: Reid Janisse (Jake), Mark Kreder (Leaf), and Esther Chung (Abagail). Photo by Shutter Studios
Bigfoot!
Written by Ephraim Ellis
Directed by Murray Furrow
Stage Managed by Jory McLean
Set Design by Eric Bunnell
Lighting Design by Karen Crichton
Costume Design by Alex Amini
Video Design by Joe Recchia
Starring: Esther Chung, Mark Kreder, and Reid Janisse
Port Stanley Festival Theatre, Bridge Street, Port Stanley
August 7 to 24, 2024
Reviewed by Patricia Black