Show reviewed: The Gin Game
Playwright: D.L.Coburn
Date saw the show: April 3, 2008
Place saw the show: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Company: Presented by Serendipity and produced in association with Vertigo Theatre
Principle Leads: Arnold Dvorkin and Clarice Evans
Director: Doug Curtis 

4 Stars

Reviewed by: Kristiana Barber (Calgary Correspondent - Canada) 

The Gin Game is a seemingly simple play built on conversations between two people playing cards to pass the time in a retirement home. When I heard this show was being performed in Calgary I was immediately interested in seeing it. My enthusiasm was in large part due to my childhood. I have many fond memories of my formative years sitting around playing cribbage and Gin rummy with my father. The games provided me with a chance to have some fun hanging out with my dad and I always enjoyed every minute. Now, years after my father has passed away, I am able to realize the significance a game of cards can have. The cards were more than a way to pass the time; they were an opportunity for a daughter and a father to spend time together and talk. I find the older I get the more I miss just talking to my Dad and the more I cherish our card game conversations. With that in mind I suppose I went to The Gin Game eager to connect with the production, but also with very high expectations. Thankfully, the performance did not disappoint.

With a Pulitzer Prize and an impressive number of Tony Award nominations under its belt, The Gin Game is no stranger to success. The script premiered on Broadway in 1977 starring Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn and has since been performed on stages all over the world. Decades later the play is still going strong and continues to entertain audiences with the realities of obstacles faced in the later years of life. Although this time is often referred to as the ‘golden years' The Gin Game presents a picture of retirement that is likely a bit more realistic. The two characters, Fonsia Dorsey and Weller Martin live in the same seniors home and get to know each other through conversations that take place during games of gin rummy. They have each dealt with hardships in life and find companionship in sharing their stories with each other. Fonsia and Weller develop a bit of a love/hate relationship and frequently end up in arguments. However the bond between the two friends seems built on a mutual understanding of the difficulties often present with old age, and although it is not perfect, it is an extremely sincere form of companionship. 

The current showing in Calgary is not only an artistic offering but also an offering of goodwill. It is a fundraiser for the Ghost River Theatre and the Performing Arts Lodge of Calgary (PAL), two worthwhile organizations operating in the Calgary community. The Ghost River Theatre is a professional theatre company dedicated to the production of entirely original work. The group places emphasis on creativity and lends vital encouragement to the growth and success of the Canadian Arts industry. PAL Calgary is also an important non-profit charity that lends a hand in a different way. The organization works towards providing affordable housing and care to disadvantaged individuals who are currently working in or have worked in the theatre. Both the Ghost River Theatre and PAL Calgary contribute valuable support not only to the Calgary community but also to the arts in general.

The production is straightforward and able to resist any reliance on fancy displays and special effects. It is performed in a small studio, which contributes nicely to a feeling of intimacy and connection to the actors. The set is quite simple with only a card table, a couch, one or two coffee tables, a couple chairs and some plants. It is slightly generic in keeping with what you might picture a retirement home to look like in real life.  

Clarice Evans plays the role of Fonsia, a pleasant woman with an unfailing luck when it comes to cards. Evans not only does well with the role, but also seems to perfectly embody the characters mixture of staunch pride and genuine vulnerability. Weller on the other hand, played by Arnold Dvorkin, is a quirky and cunning man who wants someone to talk to but has a difficult time controlling his temper. I found Dvorkin's performance to be especially engaging. He brought to life a character that is both intrinsically simple, yet hopelessly complex at the same time. The interaction between the two characters is sometimes funny, sometimes sad and sometimes thought provoking, but no matter what it is consistently truthful.

It is the authenticity of script and the integrity of this production that, in my opinion, manage to bring about a deep connection with those who watch it. As I left the theatre I didn't hear one even slightly negative comment regarding the show. Each person had only good things to say and seemed to have been genuinely entertained and touched by the heartfelt performance. The Gin Game is without a doubt the perfect way to spend an evening and at the same time give support to worthy organizations in the Calgary community.