There is little doubt that knowing what inspired Colleen MacIsaac to write A Beginner’s Guide to the Night Sky provides an additional emotional connection to the work. However, it will still resonate for those unfamiliar with its ties to the playwright, especially for anyone with a loved one living with dementia.
The Story
MacIsaac’s two-hander follows the story of a Léo and his mother, Albertine, as the pair teach us, the gathered audience, an astronomy class. Interspersed with the lessons on identifying the difference between stars and planets or meteoroids and meteorites, we watch Albertine’s decline as she grapples with dementia. As part of the lesson, we learned a couple of songs, including one that is not only a fun way to remember the moon’s phases but also emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of music for those living with dementia.
Through flashbacks, we also learn of the relationship between Léo and Albertine, including a mother’s unconditional love and encouragement for her non-binary child. Even while some of the flashbacks’ timelines were confusing, they helped build the story between mother and child.
The Players
As Albertine, Geneviève Steele is a force at times as big as the cosmos itself. Her love for the stars and our place among them is infectious. Steele captures Albertine’s gradual decline with a surprising grace. As Léo, Rooks Field-Green moves gently from an awkward child embarrassed by their mother to one looking to forge their path forward while grappling with a parent’s decline.
The Backdrop
Halifax was the final night of the show’s recent mini-tour, and the setting was literally under the stars at the Cambridge Battery in Point Pleasant Park. With few clouds in the sky and away from most of the city’s bright lights, the stars were on full display, emphasizing our small place among the vastness of space. My only wish is that on as beautiful a night for stargazing as it was, the night sky we witnessed in real time had been used more, especially during Albertine’s lessons.
The Creative
As A Beginner’s Guide to the Night Sky is meant to be performed outside, creating the stage for the performers is no easy feat. However, Matt Downey does a terrific job with his lighting design to help bring focus. Even a momentary glitch that resulted in near pitch-blackness on this particular night reminded us just how small we are in the universe. Brenda Chicas-Duran provides a simple design for the production, while Noella Murphy’s costumes are true to life, with a touch of whimsy.
The Bottomline
MacIssac opens their play with a simple line: The darkest night allows us to see more clearly. This line beautifully encapsulates a play that is as much about grief as it is about memories. In our recent interview with the playwright, MacIsaac talks about having the opportunity to share this story with their father one day; there is little doubt he will be touched by the tribute.
No further performances of this Villains Theatre production are currently scheduled.