Heptademic Redux: the limits of sanity

Heptademic Redux is a powerful and creative exploration of the limits of sanity, inner vulnerability, and the deterioration of boundaries.  Seven people are involuntarily ushered into a room, the door is locked.  Outside the walls an epidemic is raging, possibly claiming family members, cherished dogs. But the seven have been confirmed free of contagion.  One of them is connected to the government, and help is on its way to transport them to safety.  So they wait.  Day after day after day.  Eating meal supplements left by the government, in a room where the light never goes off, sharing one washroom, with no sign of any help coming.

Sounds like a conspiracy plot?  Yes is does.  But if you have a general aversion to this theme it’s best to get over it and enjoy the inventive interplay between characters.  Eventually each cracks, going off in a revealing whirlwind of fantasy, as the others take part in creating their hallucination.  The flexibility of the actors is impressive as mindscapes carry us to jungles in Guatemala, the Oscars, hip hop clubs, and even a John Wayne Western.  Each scene blends impressively into the main action: the waiting and growing uncertainty.

The script is not flawless.  For instance, it does not ring true when Mary, who was physically torn from her grandfather, immediately cheers up upon the discovery that there is a movie star in their presence.  Claire doesn’t seem too worried about her child.  Three of the four men are single with apparently no one to think about other than themselves.  And it takes twenty-four hours before anyone decides they are hungry.  Still, the ending is powerful, making Heptademic Redux well worth the trip to Main Street.

Heptademic Redux is on as part of this year's Vancouver Fringe. For more information go here.