REVIEW: THE MASTER PLAN IS A FAST-PACED, SATIRICAL MODERN MASTERPIECE

Theatre Aquarius has slowly but surely become a space that welcomes new and exciting pieces of theatre tackling subject matter that is often not seen on stage. It is a breath of much needed fresh air for the Hamilton scene which educates and intrigues in equal measure. This is certainly true with The Master Plan, a hilarious and fascinating ridicule regarding the corporate failure to build a “smart” city in Toronto. The play is adapted from award-winning writer and The Globe and Mail journalist Josh O’Kane’s best-selling book Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy and is expertly directed by Chris Abraham. This fast-paced, biting satire showcases the behind the scenes corporate drama, unrelenting personalities, and even some iconic Canadian figures involved in the messy business between Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto.

Having only done a bit of research before seeing the performance last night, I admit, I knew next to nothing about the debacle that inspired O’Kane’s book and the script by Michael Healey (who is also cast in this production). Usually I enjoy going in blind to the theatre experience but this one does require a bit of background knowledge to fully understand the flabbergasting amount of bureaucracy, corporate dialogue and timelines surrounding the optimistic but ultimately doomed project.

Thankfully, most of these knowledge gaps are filled in by the brilliant use of projections created by video designer Amelia Scott. Unlike most modern productions, the use of projections here actually helps the audience through the story rather than over relying on the technology just because it’s available. This clever partnership with set designer Joshua Quinlan creates mock “broadcasts” of the executives and bureaucrats drafting the project. Screens above a modern conference table morph to suggest maps, newspaper headlines, important members of the project, and timelines. There’s even some delightful humour in these projections too such as showing the tedious process it can take to remove a tree from someone’s property. It’s a technically complex and visually stunning way to show the audience the inner workings of the political matrix that shapes the city and these efforts from the design team deserve the highest praise.

The cast of seven exceptional actors is what truly solidifies The Master Plan as a modern masterpiece. Christopher Allen is a standout as entry-level urban planner Cam Malagaam, who portrays upwards of 30 combined executive assistants, city planners, and communications coordinators involved in the Quayside project. Allen particularly shines during a monologue towards the play’s conclusion, when he reads about the Waterfront project via email (of course) and his resignment transforms into full-blown grief. Allen is the embodiment of empathy this production needed to show that while satire here is deserved, the reality of those people also had a very deep and identifiable impact.

Mike Shara’s take on Sidewalk Labs executive Dan Doctoroff brilliantly teeters between corporate evil and utter undeniable idiocy, while Ben Carlson’s Will Fleissig brings some needed sympathy to the Toronto politicians trying their best. Rose Napoli, Tania Jacobs, and Philippa Domville are a fierce trio of women holding the line and are a welcome presence within an overwhelmingly male-centric story. Domville’s unhinged meltdown in the second act was especially hilarious and was a highlight of the show.

While The Master Plan reflects on a piece of Ontario history now, the remnants of its failure linger in the city of Toronto to this day. A haunting live footage scene of the empty space reminds audiences of how lofty projects and politics impact everyday lives. I believe these concepts also resonate in our own city as well and I advocate for everyone in our municipal government to take a mandatory field trip to see the show. It speaks to all cities fighting for improvement but not at the cost of our privacy and protections as citizens. We need more topical and insightful theatre like this. Don’t miss it.

MASTER PLAN TICKETS