Show: Cherish
Written by: Ken Duncum
Performed by: Nadien Chu, Sue Huff, Brad Loucks, Richard Meen
Directed by: Trevor Schmidt
Presented by: Northern Light Theatre, www.northernlighttheatre.com

4 Stars

Reviewed by: Darren Paul (Edmonton Correspondent - Canada) 

The wisdom of King Solomon can't touch this child custody mess. In Northern Light Theatre's production of Ken Duncum's Cherish, two gay couples and some child-bearing deal-making is plenty of cause for drama. Jess and Maeve, life partners, each have a child fathered by Tom. In return for his genetic services, Tom gets a baby of his own, to raise with his partner William. Jess is bearing the child, and when she decides she can't bear to give it up, the music gets a little more intense, and the breath of the audience gets shallow.

Cherish keeps twisting and turning, and changing the audiences mind about what it's asking of them. The four characters are locked into struggles that are immensely important, the opportunity to raise their own bundles of joy, but the play goes beyond who has the legal right, who has the will to fight, beyond what sacrifices the characters will make and attacks whether they'll have anything left once they've won. The struggle over the unborn child tests relationships to, and beyond their breaking points and everyone has a burden to bear.  

Performances are strong all around here. Richard Meen is a fiery and fun seeking Tom. He's young and just about slips over the edge trying to justify his perceived entitlement to all his desires with the limitations of reality and his personality. Brad Loucks plays the much older William. Brad plays him sincere, and always stepping back from his emotions to gain perspective. For the character it's futile and Brad brings open vulnerability to the stage. Nadien Chu's pregnant Jess is emotional and desperate. Her regret over her needs is palpable. Sue Huff's performance comes out of left field. The character that seems on the fringe from the get go derives power there. Maeve is constantly trying to be involved, to keep Jess with her, to keep her child and she fights bitterly for both.

Here there are no villains. Part of the power of the play is switching sides as the audience constantly between characters as they reveal new vulnerabilities or commit new acts of desperation.

Cherish is a real stroke of success, and a play with as contemporary and poignant themes as any. Audiences are presented with a finely detailed finely delivered show that will ask to be taken home with them. Cherish runs until May 11^th with an 8pm start.