Two Canadian theatre titans and a skilled director elevate ‘Things I Know to Be True’
Written by Andrew Bovell and directed by Philip Riccio. Until Feb. 19 at the CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge StWhat a difference some strong direction and a capable cast can make. Take “Things I Know to be True.”
At the heart of Bovell’s sprawling piece are the parents. McCamus’s Bob is a former autoworker who took an early-retirement package during an economic slump. Meanwhile, Fran, played with pathos by McKenna, is a senior nurse whose life is a long series of disappointments and whose hopes now lie in her four adult children.
The eldest sibling, Pip , is discontented with her marriage, and prepared to walk out on her husband and children to lead a new life in Vancouver. As for the brothers, Mark grapples with his gender identity while hotshot businessman Ben faces serious consequences after embezzling money at work.