REVIEW: MORE MISSING EPISODES

Local budding playwright Nathan Lise is the physical embodiment of taking a risk at a theatre festival with his very personal piece More Missing Episodes. Through improv storytelling, interactive set pieces and even poetry and letters, Lise tries to recall stories of missed potential, lost causes, and failure.

From the moment Lise fumbles onto the stage, adding to the existing chaos of papers and possessions on stage, the audience is encouraging and listens attentively while Lise describes his other play that is not, in fact, this one as well as a gauntlet of topics from growing up religious to the tragic death of an acquaintance during his time at school. His favourite TV show is even thrown in for some context to the performance’s title. The entire thing feels very cathartic for Lise and, by the end, we understand his struggles with letting go…. even if it’s not the most straightforward or polished way of reaching that understanding.

The strongest part of this show, and one you can tell Lise worked hardest on, is describing the loss of his acquaintance while at school. Lise addresses the struggles of wanting to do more and also accepting that you have to let things (and people) go. Not an easy feat but an important one.

There is a great deal of potential within More Missing Episodes and if Lise decides to further workshop this show, there’s plenty of good storytelling here that could be strengthened and given more cohesion. As Lise explains (in a sweet, self-deprecating way), the show is like all those missing episodes of his favourite show: some parts are good, some are playful but, unlike some episodes, this definitely does not suck.