Chronicles of the Dramatics Society is the first play by Amy Grace and it exhibits many of the typical dramaturgical and structural challenges that a first play by a young playwright often faces.
I liked that the play was an exploration of the friendship between three young women. I liked that there was an interesting dynamic between Cora, the intellectual, and her stepbrother, John, which was complicated by her friend, Emily’s feelings for him. While the play is supposed to be Emily’s story, I found Cora to be the strongest character and it was her relationship with John and the changing dynamics in her family that I was the most drawn to and compelled by. Grace uses broad strokes in her characterizations of these young girls- they are prototypes rather than being unique individuals, and although their circumstances in their lives change drastically, all three seem to remain emotionally stunted at twelve or thirteen years old, which I don’t think was the dramatic intent. It’s also frustrating to see three young women on stage and for each one to still be so obviously defined in relation to the men in their lives. Even though they are the only three onstage, Grace still has them being outshined by John.
This play could have benefited from having an outside eye. With Grace as the writer, director and starring role there is less opportunity for the sort of dramaturgical collaboration that can benefit a play so early in its process.
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Chronicles of the Dramatics Society plays at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (1723 Hollis Street) at the following times:
September 4 @ 9:20 PM
September 6 @ 7:00 PM
September 7 @ 9:20 PM
September 8 @ 4:45 PM
Tickets are $4.00 and are available in advance online at this website or 30 minutes before each show at the venue on the day of the performance. All tickets bought in person must be purchased with either cash or credit. For more information please visit this website or call 902.422.7604 between 10:00am and 5:00pm.
