A mother (played by Wendy Cornock) mourns the death of her husband (Jon Hunwick)—who died putting the star on top of their Christmas tree one year ago—with their daughter, Janice (Fiona Wright-Jones). Unable to cope, Janice and her mother find themselves falling deeper into their depression while neglecting both themselves and their apartment. There seems to be only one thing that keeps them going—visits from their celebrity crushes Justin Timberlake and Harrison Ford.
This is Sheila Callaghan’s Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake).
When I walked into Theatre Inconnu, I was both surprised and spooked. I didn’t think a play with a title that mentions ’90s teenage heartthrob Timberlake could look like the set of a horror film. The theatre was dark, with door casings and old broken picture frames hanging off the curtains of the stage. To the left was a bed and a side table with what felt like a dozen naked dolls staring at me. I was certain I had signed myself up for a few sleepless nights.
Crumble starts off with dim lighting and the faint sounds of a baby’s cry filling the room. Then, the Apartment (Matthew Connelly) huffs and puffs in distress as he makes his way to the stage (yes, you heard me correctly: the apartment is, in fact, a character, and he tells the story).
I was unsure of how I felt about having the Apartment as the lead character, but it seemed to work. Connelly effortlessly brings an inanimate object to life and passionately sets the tone of the play.
The characters, for the most part, are difficult to like: they’re gloomy and depressing, and it’s hard to feel bad for them. Since it is centered around two grieving characters and an angry Apartment, the play is a real downer at times. There’s only so much misery I can handle from one play. But, out of nowhere, a dorky ’90s-esque, NSYNC-type, ramen-noodle-haired Justin Timberlake imposter appears. He instantly lightens up the mood and, to my surprise, my stomach was aching and my eyes were filling up with tears—I just couldn’t stop laughing.
Callaghan’s play will grab your attention, whether it’s for good reason or out of confusion. But, one thing Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake) will definitely do is have you laughing your way home.
Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake)
Various times, until Saturday, December 14
$10 student tickets, Theatre Inconnu
(Tuesday, December 3 is pay-what-you-wish admission)
Theatre Inconnu
theatreinconnu.com