Controversy in the chamber

The Rachel Brown Theatre on Bannatyne was a packed house Friday night for the second showing of In the Chamber, but I have to wonder if the show was sold out because of the 50 odd Red River CreComm students?

Regardless, each seat was full with people eager, or anxious, to see the play written and performed by Steven Ratzlaff and Gordon Tanner. I’ve got to tell you, I went to the play not expecting much, and I still don’t know how I really feel about the whole thing.

The play was two acts with each of the writers performing a monologue. In the first act, Gordon Tanner gave his monologue in front of a video camera destined to find its way to his big boss of some multi-national hog farming business. Tanner spoke about how the animals are treated at these farms, and how research has concluded that hogs really don’t need much in the way of space to stay healthy. What I enjoyed about his monologue was the compelling research and information about what goes on. His character was an employee of the company, which made his comments and accusations all the more believable. I was also shocked to find out just how little space is given to the hogs in their pens as Tanner knelt in the small space he described as being the dimensions of the cage.

But what I didn’t like about it was the jargon, the long tangents Tanner went on as he dealt with his mixed feelings about the whole situations. He would make a good point and then get distracted by his thoughts leaving me struggling to keep up. After about 20 minutes of this I gave up. The dialogue was way too long-winded and the writing did nothing to interact and engage the audience. Another thing I disliked about Tanner’s monologue was his use powerpoint. With the stage lights lighting up the set I had to squint to see what was presented on the screen.

While there were some things I did and did not like about the first act, I can tell you for sure I didn’t like the second act. Steven Ratzlaff took the reins and began to delve in the very controversial and difficult subject of health care in this country. Let me just say, I had no idea what Ratzlaff was talking about. I know his character had lost a child and then went to work for the very industry his wife believed killed his child – wow. Either way, all I have to say is the system isn’t perfect, but what system is? The system allows Canadians equal opportunity to get the health care they require, but it struggles to keep doctors in the country and keep up on all the new medical technology – even though I think we’re doing pretty good. But how can you compete with our neighbour to the south who offers limitless money and resources for doctors, because it’s the individual who pays and they will pay any amount of money. In a capitalist society, how can you blame doctors for only getting what they deserve for all their years of education and hard work? But think of the millions of people in the states who don’t have health care, and don’t even have a chance to pay for the treatments they need to survive let alone the services of a family doctor. Private health care will not make our system better; it will only make it worse.

I felt the play was boring and lifeless, but I blame it on the writing. I thought the actors did a wonderful job trying to explain extremely complicated and difficult subjects. Tanner and Ratzlaff made excellent points and brought up topics that many people might not know anything about, but the dialogue fell short of keeping the audience wanting to hear more.