Factory Theatre – Florence Gibson’s Missing

reviewed by Paula Citron
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Missing
Factory Theatre
Written by Florence Gibson
Directed by David Ferry
Starring Fiona Highet, Kyra Harper, Alan Van Sprang, Andrew Gilles, Shauna Black. Guy Bannerman and Emma Hillier
At Factory Theatre until Apr. 5
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Florence Gibson’s sprawling new play Missing has her trademark many themes and many characters.

The story is set in the ’70s in and around London, Ontario. Carol is an OPP detective investigating the disappearance of a farm wife. Her own troubled marriage mirrors the information that she uncovers about the farmer’s marriage. Fiona Highet as the detective shows toughness and vulnerability, torn as she is between Andrew Gilles as her husband, and Alan Van Sprang as the farmer. The large cast gives good performances.

Gibson’s dialogue moves from terse to poetic, and her aim is to be as provocative as she can. Director David Ferry focuses on both intimate encounters and a Greek chorus to capture the intrigues of the subtext.

We know what we think is the ending early on in the play, but Gibson has a few surprises in store. Missing is more about identity within relationships than it is a who-dunnit.

Missing continues at Factory Theatre until Apr. 5.