4000 Miles - Bridging the Distance

4000 Miles by Amy Herzog, directed by Roy Surette, is a play about distance. But perhaps not, perhaps it's about journey. Or perhaps it's about how we're all closer than we thought.

It was weird seeing such an intricate box set after coming straight off the Vancouver Fringe, but I appreciated all the subtle lighting effects and the atmosphere it created. As a personal preference I don't really like naturalistic sets, but I can see the appeal and if anyone is going to do it, the Arts Club is the right place for that sort of thing. It makes theatre feel a lot like film. Which was appropriate in this case I think, 4000 Miles felt more like a really good sitcom than anything else.

The dialogue is sharp and telling and in that regard I think the script is masterful. The characters are broad, but relatable. I happened to have my 70 year old father with me in the audience, so we had some great laughs about situations and habits from the play that we see in ourselves. On the other hand, as far as story or character arc goes, I didn't feel that there was really any conflict or movement to the piece. It felt like a really beautiful, textured snapshot, a slice of life perhaps.

From my experience of multigenerational interactions and from what I had read in the program, I was expecting there to be an “Odd Couple” kind of personality conflict. But the two main characters got along most of the time, more than most roommates, and enjoyed such a high level of tolerance and understanding that although admirable, was not very interesting from a theatrical point of view. The plot sailed along happily with a great many chuckles and touching moments and I enjoyed it, but I don't think I came away changed.

I did feel that all of the acting was of a higher standard than I am accustomed to encountering in Vancouver, Nicola Cavendish in particular gave a seamless performance. I was concerned that her character voice for Vera was going to drive me up the wall, but either she toned it down or I got used to it very quickly. All of the characters are pretty broad stereotypes but there was enough there for the actors to make the roles their own without veering off the well-trodden path and I felt the world was well-created: solid and believeable.  

4000 Miles is a heartfelt comedy with loveable characters during which nothing much of anything happens. A good safe bet for an evening of entertainment that will keep your heart engaged without taking you too far out of your comfort zone.