Review: Theatre Aurora presents “No Exit”

Theatre Aurora has gone back to Jean-Paul Sartre's classic “No Exit” for their last play of the spring.

The one-act play, written in 1944, tells the story of three damned souls who expect to be consigned to the tortures of Hell, but instead are individually led by a mysterious valet to a locked, windowless room.

The characters for the most part initially display surprise as to what they could have done in their lives that would cause them to end up in Hell. They are also confused as to why three people who don't know each other are together in a locked room, potentially for eternity.

As the characters discover more about each other, the reasons why they are each there, and what awaits them in their future, is slowly revealed.

Janis Boase as the Valet, appears only briefly at the beginning, but is suitably creepy and mysterious, and sets the stage nicely for what is to come.

The real heart of this play is the trio of damned souls.  Kayla Whelan (Estelle), Aleksandra Maslennikova (Inez), and Jamie Sherman (Garcin) do an excellent job displaying a wide range of emotions, and fleshing out their characters.  Each puts a lot of depth into both their solo speeches and their complex interactions with each other.

The set is simple, but requires a bit of imagination on the part of the audience.

Described by the characters as a locked windowless room furnished in a French style of over a century ago, the Theatre Aurora stage envisions it with no obvious walls or door, a backdrop of plants with indistinct figures moving behind them, and plain benches in place of the colourful sofas.

Overall, “No Exit” has excellent performances, and provides an entertaining and thought-provoking wrap-up to Theatre Aurora's 2021-22 season.

Note that COVID protocols are in place at the theatre, which includes the requirement for patrons to wear masks at all times while within the building.

Evening performances of “No Exit” continue at Theatre Aurora, 150 Henderson Drive, June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11 with a matinee on June 5.  Tickets are available through the box office at 905-727-3669.

By Scott Johnston