Front Row Centre reviews I AM NOT A DINNER MINT

"We all love dinner mints, but nobody should be treated like one."

That's the concept behind I AM NOT A DINNER MINT The Crap Women Swallow to Stay in a Relationship, writer Trey Anthony's new play written in collaboration with Rachael-Lea Rickards. After a successful run this past summer at Harbourfront, the show is being given a five-week run at the Diezel playhouse. Those familiar with Trey Anthony's previous show, DA KINK IN MY HAIR (soon to be a TV series) will recognize the format: five women recount the rocky relationships they have been through.

While the concept is intriguing the play needs better focus to put across its point.

Many of the individual monologues are alternatively funny, touching and shocking but the net result lacks tension. This is through no fault of the performers, especially Rickards, who deliver sharp, powerful vignettes. The problem is that they tend to go off on tangents that weaken the structure.

This is just one of several missed opportunities throughout the piece. The direction sees to favour keeping the performers front and centre instead of playing to the full audience. The lighting design (at least at the reviewed performance) was obtrusive and failed to focus on the performers speaking, literally leaving some stranded in the dark.

Then there is pacing of the show. The material should naturally build tension but Too many segments fall flat robbing the show of its power. For a play that lasts less than 90 minutes, it seems strange for it to drag at times.
Yet there are moments when the performer and the material combine into a potent mix, sometimes funny (a tale or running into an ex when dressed and groomed less than her best) and sometimes riveting (a second-act story of an abusive relationship.) Yet by the finale, the point that women should not stay in unhealthy relationships has been well established, but it offers not stories to chronicle how some have broken out and stopped the endless cycle.

Nothing succeeds like success and without any hope of redemption, the show becomes little more than a bitch and moan fest, which is why I AM NOT A DINNER MINT leaves such a bad taste in your mouth.

SHOW: I AM NOT A DINNER MINT The Crap Women Swallow to Stay in a Relationship

Written by: trey anthony and Rachael-Lea Rickards
Directed by: trey Anthony

Choreography by: Janice Nixon

Featuring: Jemeni, Rachael-Lea Rickards, Graziella Mastrangelo, Aktina Stathaki,Mandeep Kaur Mucina, Rachel Brittain (Understudy)
with Belinda Poolay on Vocals, Tanya Matthews on Percussion

Theatre: The Diesel Playhouse, Mainspace, 56 Blue Jays Way

Dates: September 9 - October 15, 2006
Performances: Wednesday to Saturday @ 8pm, Saturday& Sunday @ 2:30pm
Tickets: $20 - $35 available at the Diesel Playhouse box office, online at www.dieselplayhouse.com or via phone at 416.971.5656

Recommended for audiences 14+