SummerWorks 2011: Third Floor

Written by Jason Hall
Directed by Ashlie Corcoran

Kristian Bruun in Third Floor. Photo by Greg Wong.

In Third Floor, a quirky and suspenseful two-hander starring Kaitlyn Riordan and Kristian Bruun, playwright Jason Hall explores the darker side of condo living and asks: how well do you know your neighbours? The Hitchcock-inspired play tells the story of two neighbours who become friendly through their shared annoyance with a nearby resident. But when a prank goes wrong, the new friends become accomplices.

Featuring a clever and practical set by Jung-Hye Kim and a compelling score by Adam Harendorf, Third Floor is a stylish, well-designed production with an engaging cinematic quality that grabs your attention right from the start. The two performers have excellent chemistry on stage: Riordan does a fine job as the uptight and cautious #12, while Bruun is laugh-out-loud funny and alarming as the awkward and off-balance #11.

Hall’s tension-filled script builds at a nail-biting pace that will leave you on the edge of your seat. A couple of the shorter scenes could be trimmed or taken out all together (there are a few too many fade-to-black moments in the show). But other than that, Third Floor is a thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking piece of theatre.

Want to know more? Read our Q&A with playwright Jason Hall and director Ashlie Corcoran.

Third Floor runs until August 14 at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Visit summerworks.ca for more information.

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