Nancy Palk, left, and Christine Horne in "Infinite Life" at the Coal Mine Theatre.
In our greatest moments of suffering, is there room for joy to coexist? Yes, suggests Annie Baker in her thought-provoking new play “Infinite Life,” now receiving a note-perfect Canadian premiere at Toronto’s Coal Mine Theatre.
But the American playwright takes it one step further. Not only can joy coexist with pain, she seems to say, but it must. For the temporary residents of the mysterious health retreat in Baker’s drama, finding joy and humour amid their excruciating suffering is key to their survival.
These moments of joy are small and come from unexpected sources: a colouring book, a novel, a live video feed of a cat. To the outside eye, perhaps they’re even imperceptible. Yet they’re enough to help these individuals cope.
This idea of coping — not healing — is central to Baker’s play. And there’s nothing sentimental in the way she depicts this process. “Infinite Life,” in fact, is as antisentimental as they come. But that’s what makes the work such a profoundly honest inquiry: into pain, suffering and self-acceptance.
Esta historia es de la edición September 14, 2024 de Toronto Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 14, 2024 de Toronto Star.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Playing a witch with vulnerability
The older Kathryn Hahn gets, the hungrier she is to tell complex and compelling stories about women.
Matlock script made Bates reconsider retiring from acting
Stop the presses-Kathy Bates isn't ready to retire after \"Matlock\" like we thought.
Trump himself needs to end the violent rhetoric
Donald Trump wants the violent rhetoric to end?
How Diddy went from king of hip-hop to indicted
Grammy winner will plead not guilty to sex trafficking, racketeering charges
Meta bans Russia's state media outlets
Platform cites foreign interference
Next generation of Buffetts poised to become powerhouse
Trio entrusted with managing charitable trust upon father's death
Public money needed to aid energy cleanup, minister says
Less than a quarter of province's half-million energy wells are reclaimed
Instagram sets limits on teens' accounts in bid to boost safety
Amid mounting accusations that kids aren't being kept safe on social media, Instagram says it will automatically give teens private accounts with limited capabilities as their default.
Mortgage rule changes are only a partial help, experts say
Experts say Ottawa's changes to mortgage rules could help spur demand among potential homebuyers, but supply challenges are likely to persist in Canada's real estate sector despite lofty goals to build new housing.
Canada needs newcomers long term
There's a sound drifting into Canada from south of the border, and the rising crescendo will become deafening if we don't address its source.