Thanks for the memories
MTC’s Half Life short but sweet
ADAM MCCORT
CYLLA VON TIEDEMANN
If you haven’t quite had enough of all things “romantic” since Valentine’s Day, and/or, you’ve not been to the theatre in quite some time, if ever, then I strongly recommend you go and see Half Life at MTC. The play centres on Patrick, played by Eric Peterson (of Corner Gas) as a wonderfully likable octogenarian codger, and Clara (Carolyn Hetherington), both residents of an Alzheimer’s ward. Patrick and Clara believe that they are old flames, but we the audience (although it is all very intriguing and heart-warming), are not so sure.
Patrick’s daughter Anna, played charmingly by Laura Carteret (who has one of most graceful voices in Canadian theatre), does a lot of waiting around for her father in the care home. Clara’s son Donald (Diego Matamoros), also waits, but while he does so, adds a very important element to the story. Donald is a scientist, and more specifically, he is involved in research on human memory and artificial intelligence. Throughout the play, in monologues and conversations with Anna, Donald contemplates the structure and nature of memory and the passage of time. In one of many of Donald’s philosophical asides, he describes the higher functions of memory, as those that are manifest not so much through logic and detail, but through notion, feeling, and intuition.
So, then, it is interesting that as Patrick and Clara’s growing affection for one another becomes more evident, their children have an opposing point of view on the matter of their parents’ feelings. Patrick and Clara want to be married and spend the rest of their days in the care home together as husband and wife. But Donald opposes this on the grounds that his mother is too “vulnerable”— Donald is the quintessential cynic — he is divorced and quips about living alone, “It’s wonderful waking up in the morning knowing that there is no one there to ruin my day.”
To round out the cast we have a hilarious, self-deprecating reverend (Randy Hughson), a somewhat suspicious nurse (Maggie Huculak), and a humorously grumpy patient (Barbara Gordon), who is envious of a recently deceased patient because she is no longer forced to participate in craft time. The standout here is Peterson, with his effective portrayal of Patrick, going from tender and reflective to irritated. While wearing the medals he was awarded for his service as a code-breaker in the Second World War, he is asked what one of them is for, and replies, “For keeping my mouth shut!”
Patrick and Clara may or may not have been lovers in their youth — I will leave that up to you to decide — but when they meet here, it is as if they remember each other, have always known each other, and have already shared a life time of memories. It is interesting that Donald points out that the reason so many writers have committed suicide is because they are always reflecting on their memories, dwelling on/in their pain, whereas the rest of us are too distracted in the common working world. It is anything but for John Mighton, who wrote Half Life and continues to work steadily, both inspired by and inspiring others. Mighton is not only a playwright, but also has a PhD in mathematics, and although the play is perhaps somewhat too short in length (90 minutes), and the characters of Patrick and Clara underdeveloped, he has crafted a play to captivate both the heart and the mind. Half Life is running now until March 3 at MTC.
