Versus - A Slow Burn

Andrea Yu wrote, directed and produced Versus – a locally staged play by Lotus Land Productions at the Firehall Arts Centre for the 2014 Vancouver Fringe. Featuring actors Evelyn Chew, Pandora Morgan and Chris Lam, this show is immensely self-referential as the plot centres on a struggling playwright named Andrea and her friend who is a struggling actor named Pandora. 

Andrea (in the play) is writing a play for a competition – and it's not going at all well. Her friend Pandora isn't having much luck either – she blows up at a casting director during an audition for a bit part. Thus when Pandora phones Andrea to ask when the play will be completed, it sends Andrea into a panic leading her to call upon dark powers of her Chinese ancestors. The playwriting starts to go better... but Pandora begins to experience exactly what is happening to her character in the play (and it ain't pretty, folks). 

The staging is fairly simple and effective. Lighting by David Newham adds to the overall creepiness of the play but the sound design by Chris Lam was occasionally overpowering. Special kudos to Pandora Morgan for her impressive physicality in the role of Pandora – it was fascinating to watch. Evelyn Chew's younger version of Andrea and Chris Lam's obnoxious truck driver were also excellent characterizations. 

Though the only warning on this play is coarse language, I'd have to add that it's quite dark and violent. If you're looking for a slow burn thriller, this might be for you.