Review: Assembly Hall (Kidd Pivot / Canadian Stage)

Striking a unique balance between silliness and complexity, and levity and darkness, Canadian Stage and Kidd Pivot are back with Assembly Hall, a new work by the globally acclaimed choreographer Crystal Pite and playwright Jonathon Young. This dance-theatre fusion delves into the nuances of human congregations, standing out as one of the hottest tickets of the year (securing a seat is no small feat).

Assembly Hall focuses on medieval reenactors in a general meeting within a local community hall. They obsess over Robert's Rules, from points of order to motions to move, yet the rules still cannot control the quirky outbursts and conflicts within the group. The discussion centers on their event, “Quest Fest,” which is plagued by dwindling attendance and funds, leading to a vote on the collective’s dissolution – a topic that splits the group.

Central to the narrative is Dave (played by Gregory Lau), a character who's journey mirrors the universal need for participation and belonging. Dave is an everyday man, with a touch of melancholy, who seeks a meaningful role within the group. It's a relatable story for anyone who has been to ritual-like community events, like recitals and community theatre - gatherings that are gradually diminishing in today's world for reasons echoed in this group's struggles.

The script is written by Jonathon Young, voiced by actors and then physically interpreted by the dancers with mime-like movements. The precision of the movement, synced flawlessly with the voiceovers, infuses a somewhat cartoonish charm into the performance and characters, similar to their past collaborations like Revisor and Betroffenheit. Yet, the audience’s laughter throughout this work attests to a lighter, more playful tone in Assembly Hall.

The performance skillfully intertwines dance and theatre, especially during the first hour, before transitioning to the final thirty minutes, which showcases Pite's distinctive choreography. This structure enables the audience to form connections with the characters, who later transcend into a realm of pure contemporary movement. Pite's choreographic style masterfully juxtaposes fluidity with dynamic precision, imbuing each movement with grace and controlled abandon, truly only possible from the best performers in the world.

The production’s scenic design by Jay Gower Taylor deserves special mention. Initially, I mistook the press images for promotional shots, not realizing they depicted the actual set. The design captures the essence of an old school gymnasium, probably not touched in decades, a nostalgic backdrop of old dusty walls, double swinging doors, a worn basketball hoop and red curtains on the elevated community stage.

Assembly Hall is a remarkable exploration of contrasts - light and dark, silliness and seriousness, the absurd and the real. The ingenious design of having a stage within a stage introduces us to a multi-layered theatrical experience. This approach not only adds depth to the performance but also intricately weaves together various layers of narrative and timelines, creating an uniquely immersive experience. You truly never know where the story will lead you next.

Even a technical glitch, leading to a brief pause in the performance, was handled with grace. As Pite herself stood up and reassured the audience that they would be back. I thought this was a nice way of exemplifying the show's spirit of resilience and continuity, and the understanding and connection within the community in moments like these.

As a long-time admirer of Crystal Pite and now Jonathan Young, Assembly Hall further cements these creators' status as preeminent artistic forces in the world. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this work (if you're lucky enough to get a ticket) and immerse yourself in anything and everything crafted by Crystal Pite!

Assembly Hall, presented by Canadian Stage and Kidd Pivot, is playing at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front St E, Toronto, ON) until December 9th, 2023. Tickets can be purchased online here (yet note that they are extremely limited).

CanadianStage.com Instagram and Twitter: @canadianstage Facebook: @cdnstage

KiddPivot.org Socials: @kiddpivot

Photos by Michael Slobodian.

• Photo 1 of Livona Ellis, Brandon Alley, Ella Rothschild, Rakeem Hardy, Gregory Lau, Renée Sigouin, Doug Letheren, Rena Narumi in Assembly Hall.
• Photo 2 of Gregory Lau, Livona Ellis, Brandon Alley, Renée Sigouin, Doug Letheren, Rakeem Hardy, Rena Narumi, Ella Rothschild in Assembly Hall.

Written by Deanne Kearney. DeanneKearney.com @deannekearney