A seven-sided story about a fatal mishap

Hilarious and heart-wrenching MTC production showcases actress’ talent and highlights the value in other points of view

Kelli Fox stars as Lynette (the brunette) in MTC’s The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead. Bruce Monk

Manitoba Theatre Company’s production of the one-woman play, The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Red Head, received a standing ovation on opening night, Feb. 5. And it’s no wonder not many actors can so convincingly play seven diverse characters in one fell swoop.

The play portrays the impact that a fatal mishap in front of a discount jewelry store has on seven different people. The characters include Rhonda, the red headed protagonist who’s been left by her arrogant and sleazy husband Graham; Dr. Alex Doucette, a British medical doctor and girlfriend of the victim of a brutal attack; Lynette, Rhonda’s nosey brunette neighbor and supposed confidant; Matthew, the sweet four-and-a half year old son of Alex and her partner; Mrs. Carlisle, the elderly, opinionated neighbor of Matthew; and finally Tonia, Graham’s blonde, Russian love interest.

Through their monologues, each character reveals how the event has personally impacted them. The fragments they reveal become woven together to form a web of shocking secrets, lies and truths.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the production is the costume changes. They take place on stage behind a translucent screen that gives the audience a view of the actress’s silhouette as she changes. This method is extremely effective in heightening the attention of the audience and causing incredible curiosity around the character about to emerge.

Kelli Fox, the actress, meticulously mastered the mannerisms of each character while also undergoing remarkable physical changes in a matter of minutes. Each character was so vastly different from the previous that I may not have believed it was the same actress playing all the roles if I hadn’t viewed the process of her costume change.

Fox’s incredible ability to go from playing a four-and-a-half year old boy, to playing an elderly woman, speaks volumes of her talent.

All in all, this is a unique production that should not be missed. Not only is it both hilarious and heart-wrenching, it also causes one to think outside of themselves. By being exposed to multiple perspectives of one single event, we are reminded not to be too quick to form judgments and make assumptions about others, and that there is value in other points of view.

Published in Volume 63, Number 20 of The Uniter (February 12, 2009)

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