The Clockmaker - Tick-Tock, There's Too Much Talk

The Clockmaker
Written by Stephen Massicotte
Directed by Bob White

Starring Damien Atkins, Kevin Bundy, Clair Calnan & Christian Goutsis

At Tarragon Theatre

September 14 – October 24

In its Toronto debut, Tarragon Theatre has opened it’s 2010-2011 season with Stephen Massicotte’s The Clockmaker.  Director Bob White revisits the play after directing it previously at Alberta Theatre Projects, presenting the part romance, part mystery to new audiences in Toronto. 

The Clockmaker begins with its namesake, Heinrich Mann (Christian Goutsis), in a rather sticky situation.  He is under interrogation by the mysterious and pompous Monsieur Pierre (Damien Atkins) who claims that he is suspected of committing a crime. Meanwhile, Mann meets Frieda (Claire Calnan), a woman with her own problems, most notably her broken cuckoo clock and abusive husband, Adolphus (Kevin Bundy).  As the clockmaker takes on the task of repairing Frieda’s clock their relationship intensifies.  The audience follows this group between scenes of reality and scenes of questionable reality; where Mann and Frieda do not recognize one another, and have no recollection of their personal histories.  When the married couple and Mann finally unite with the presentation of the clock things turn sour.  Murder, revelation and final judgment with the world’s greatest clockmaker ensue. 

Deeply embedded in Masicotte’s text is the idea of a cycle; the cycle of time, the cycle of life, and at times the unnecessary cycle or repetition of basic text in dialogue.  Despite the quick delivery of the text, the repetition of dialogue throughout the play slowed down the pace and was ultimately a detriment to the piece.  The 95-minute production lagged due to this heavy dialogue and constant reiteration.

Time and life as a cycle are explored throughout the production aspects of White’s production. Scott Reid’s set highlights this theme with arches that resemble the circular cogs of a clock, beautifully framing the action on stage.  In particular the set is helpful in maintaining the uncertainty of time in relation to location that is required for the production.

The performances from the cast were varied, from Bundy’s strong physicality and naturalistic portrayal of Adolphus to the less than relatable overly stylized Mann.  In particular, Goutsis’s portrayal of Mann was far too unrealistic.  His overt nervousness and perpetual upward inflection was a constant annoyance.

Rounding out the production was the beautiful light design by Rebecca Picherack and sound design by Kevin McGugan.  Blackouts were filled with realistic soundscapes of long corridors and instrumental pieces that had hints of a ticking clock; all of which enhanced the viewing experience.  Most notably, Picherack and McGugan worked together to create rain scenes with a beautiful mix of colours and well timed puddle splashes.

The Clockmaker attempts to be a perfect sphere to which the cycles it discusses can rotate smoothly.  Unfortunately bumps such as lengthy dialogue and overpowering character choices create a break in the cycle and drag out the sequence creating a beautiful show with just too much talk and not enough tick-tock.