REVIEW: CASEY AND DIANA - How Compassion Makes a Home at Theatre Aquarius

*Catherine Wreford and Gregory Prest in Casey & Diana*
*Photography by: Dahlia Katz*

What does compassion mean to you? To some, compassion is an offering. To others, compassion means understanding one’s suffering so we can relate to them better. In playwright Nick Green’s Casey & Diana, compassion is what makes a place a home. This is what drives the story inspired by Princess Diana’s historic visit to Toronto’s Casey House in 1991 alongside the men at the heart of the AIDS crisis, their devoted caregivers, and the ‘People’s Princess’ who touched these men’s hearts and, with compassion, held their hands when no one else would.

Green’s narrative takes place in the seven days before Diana’s visit, raising awareness and reducing the stigmas about AIDS and of the men afflicted with a disease the world knew so little about (and were so terrified of). The main set is a double-room occupancy with a warm, homey feeling to it surrounded by quilt imagery (a notable way in which loved ones remembered those they lost) in its design. One might fear that because of the enormity of Aquarius’s main stage that the intimacy of such a small cast would be lost but due to some clever stage raking decisions, this is not the case.

The audience meets Thomas, who is one of the longest survivors at Casey House, and is obsessed with preparing for the visit. He rehearses and fantasizes his encounter with the princess (an ethereal Catherine Wreford). As played by charming Gregory Prest, Thomas is fiercely observant and deeply relatable. His conversations with the caregivers and volunteers are equal parts humorous, bitter, and laced with pop culture references (the 80’s hit film Steel Magnolias serves as a connecting motif here and the line “laughter through tears is my favourite emotion” perfectly describes the production’s impact). Prest is captivating and plays wonderfully alongside Wreford’s Diana who radiates with regal compassion and effortless poise.

There are several other relationships revolving around Thomas's shared room, Casey House, and Diana's impending visit. Gloria Mampuya is the no-nonsense nurse Vera who struggles to keep her emotions concealed as the play’s grounding character. This royal visit doesn’t change the reality for these men and she knows it. Sharon Bajer is utterly delightful as well-intentioned Marjorie, a volunteer who develops an intense maternal relationship with new arrival Andre (a softer but no less impressive performance from Noah Beemer) who runs a gauntlet of emotions of his own. The audience also comes to know Thomas's estranged, once very close, sister played with a terrified ferocity by Alicia Johnston. The unexpected parallels between her and Thomas’ vision of Diana are beautifully woven through the second act and it is gut-wrenching to watch.

All of these characters have complicated ties with, and reactions to, AIDS as well as to each other. The cast mask their pain and fear in delightful gay speak, and fire off fantastic and memorable quips to ease the mounting tension as the story progresses. They are all warm and fragile people we want to know, flaws and all. The reality they create may not encompass all the politics, fears and horrors relating to the AIDS epidemic, but Green’s careful control of the narrative allows for the audience to witness lived experiences that meld with our own perceptions to create an empathy that left the audience on Thursday evening’s performance in tears on several occasions. Theatre Aquarius may find it a necessary gesture to have tissues available for those in need (in addition to their established quiet space in the director’s lounge post-show to reflect and remember those they have lost over the years). Theatre Aquarius also offers an opportunity to add to a Paper Quilt Wall to create a living memory of cherished loved ones and it is a beautiful thing to behold.

“We need to remember the joy of living” was a poignant remark from Thursday evening’s pre-show discussion with director and dramaturgy Andrew Kushnir. Kushnir has now helped bring this powerful, resonating story to a few notable theatres across Ontario since 2023 (Stratford and Soulpepper) and after the Aquarius run, will set off to Manitoba. Casey & Diana certainly encapsulates the joy in living through its memorable characters and the compassion felt will certainly make you feel at home within Theatre Aquarius’ walls. Go and support this emotionally driven piece of theatre. You will not regret it.

CASEY & DIANA TICKETS