The play about the rise and fallof David, the shepherd destinedto be King of Israel and Judah,played at this summeröÏÓãÊÓƵapp 25thannual Toronto Fringe Festival.
The young shepherd isanointed by the Lord and Godpromises to show David mercyall the days of his life.
David helps the current king,Saul, find the light in his time ofturmoil. Now a soldier, Daviddefeats the Philistine championGoliath, becoming a hero to hispeople. Loved by SaulöÏÓãÊÓƵapp children,David built a covenant of brotherhoodand friendship with SaulöÏÓãÊÓƵappson Jonathan. DavidöÏÓãÊÓƵapp popularitysurpasses SaulöÏÓãÊÓƵapp. And in the faceof jealousy, SaulöÏÓãÊÓƵapp love of Davidturns to hate.
When Saul dies, David turnsfrom man on the run to kingof his people. Yet, David givesinto lust and covets Bathsheba,another manöÏÓãÊÓƵapp wife, and sendsthat man to the battlefield wherehe dies.
In turn, GodöÏÓãÊÓƵapp wrath uponDavid translates into the deathof David and BathshebaöÏÓãÊÓƵapp firstson, his wives laying with hisneighbour for all to know andhis enemies having reason toblaspheme against him. ButDavid himself lives, as God keepsHis promise to show mercy.
This minimalist productionhad a cast of five and very fewprops, save a shepherdöÏÓãÊÓƵapp staff, theslingshot used to bring Goliathdown and a white screen toproject images to help set thescene. So in the intimate settingof the Factory Theatre, the playwas completely dependent onthe performances, vocal andotherwise.
Nigel Thompson plays thehumble, and sometimes comedic,David. As the best singer onstage, itöÏÓãÊÓƵapp easy to picture himbelting it out in a gospel solo.
Jonathan Roe plays Saul as aruler fraying at his royal seems.
Daniel S. Kim brings a playful,trustworthy and honourableJonathan to the stage.
Nathan the Prophet (AlexStrauss) is narrator to this tale.But with such a small cast, muchof DavidöÏÓãÊÓƵapp story had to be toldinstead of shown, leaving theproduction feeling long-winded,even during many of the balladsand solos.
The audience awoke whenthe only female actor walkedon stage. Kylah Thomson isBathsheba, the object of DavidöÏÓãÊÓƵappdesire. And as an object, sheunfortunately never has a voicein this production. Her performanceis purely dance based, adelightful mix of contemporaryand belly dance.
This rags to riches to ruintale would have benefited frommultiple appearances from theaudience-favourite Bathseba, aswell as the comedic and playfulrelationship between David andJonathan.