Late Company is a play written by Jordan Tannahill that extends us a formal invitation to an awkward family dinner between two families who are forever entwined by death, where shallow conversations on curtain ties were the least of our worries: as the night develops, so do tensions and emotions. Conversations of nature vs. nurture, challenging social norms, and the issues of perpetuating traditional values. 

Michael (Adam Barrows) and Debora (Vivian Burns) are a father and mother who are coping with the loss of their son, by inviting the family of one of the boys who played a part in that loss. We learn that Michael is a local conservative politician and his wife is the artistic foil to that. Getting introduced to Bill (Hayden Sovinsky), Tamara (Emily O’Kane), and Curtis (William Mann), we find Debora is truly challenged, as she faces a barrage of traditional ideals. The night may have started out with calm talks of home renovation shows, but ended with explosive arguments and violence as conflicting ideals mixed with high emotions. 

Elevator Theatre Company once again proves that it is a force to be reckoned with in terms of high-quality productions. Josh Rigo’s direction was clear and he easily navigated the heavy topics with a delicate touch. I went into this show completely blind, not knowing what to expect. Hearing the story of a closeted teen who was bullied to the point of suicide is a story that I’ve heard way too many times growing up. While I found the beginning of the play dragged a bit, it hit its stride once all the characters let down their walls. I do have to say that at times I felt a lot of the plot itself was very predictable and heavy-handed in its implications. I think it does so with the intent to either employ humour to brighten the conversation or to have the audience focus more on connections rather than focusing on the story.

Everyone in the cast does an absolutely astounding job in showcasing such emotionally vulnerable characters. My biggest shoutout has to be towards Hayden Sovinsky for playing a character that you have such a blazing hatred for. Sovinsky’s character is your typical “boys will be boys” and the classic “buck up or shut up”. I truly couldn’t stand him by the end of the play, so I know that Sovinsky played the part extremely well. Vivian Burns also delivers some of the most gut-wrenching lines, especially with her letter to Curtis. Burns bears her character’s heart and emotions boldly, without shame, which in turn draws the audience to feel the absolute devastation and pain displayed.

I feel like a broken record always stating this, but I love simply designed sets. With a singular long dining table with place settings for six guests, the ambient lighting transported the audience and made us feel like the uninvited seventh guest to the night’s gathering. The usage of real food adds to the awkward tension, especially with the guacamole splash zone and the silent conversation between the flatware and the dinnerware.

Overall, Late Company is a masterclass in crafting the complex relationships that come when traditional values are challenged by an ever-evolving society. Elevator Theatre Company adds another slam dunk into their premiere season. I have high hopes for their final show this season.