Power of human connection
TOSH students get into character for ‘The Theory of Relativity’
A talented cast from Three Oaks Senior High School brings to the stage a tangled web of feelings, relations, desires, liaisons and losses, and reveal how they are all interconnected in a fresh new musical.
“The play goes very well with the mindset of these teenagers and their transition from home and going away to university or the bigger world,” explained Shirley Anne Cameron, the director.
“It will focus on individual problems the kids have and then work out the issues together.”
Lives of complex personalities at some point intersect in the play, “The Theory of Relativity” written by Neil Bartram, and their journey is unravelled through song.
Characters include a child of divorce, a germaphobe, an individual allergic to cats, an immigrant who feels different because of her appearance and is torn between pleasing her parents and going her own way, to name but a few.
Mason Works plays a funny, but convincing socially awkward math nerd.
“Adam (the character) has a blind date and it’s uncertain, but in math everything is certain so he has to make a choice. Does he go with the unknown or does he stay with what he knows? There’s a lot of pacing around the stage and thinking, ‘Shall I say something to her or go back to the chalk board and back to numbers,’” he explained.
Works says the key to bringing a scripted character to life is to believe in them.
“When I saw the musical script, I knew I related to that guy (Adam). I do try to embody a certain neuroticism and nervousness, like a stuttering to bring the character to life,” he said.
Georgia Gunn was cast as the troubled character Caroline.
“My character is reeling from an event that happened to her in high school. She had an unhealthy relationship that changed her perspective on all relationships. With most people, when they have a dramatic experience it changes them forever. In her song she shares her experience and why she will never look at love or relationships the same way.”
Notes from a piano accompany the songs that can be deeply heartfelt, joyful or comedic.
There are only minimal stage props at the Black Box theatre, which helps keep all the focus on the young cast.
“I hope everyone comes to see the show because I am really excited about it,” concluded Gunn.
Member in the audience will either find themselves nodding in agreement as they watch the scenes unfold or reminisce to a chapter in their own life.