What good comes of “Things We Lost in the Fire”

Things We Lost in the Fire is a compelling exploration of human emotions and interactions set against the aftermath of a tragedy in an apartment building. Produced by Promise Productions, written by Deon Denton and directed with nuance and sensitivity by Erin Jones, it is on stage at Crow’s Theatre until April 21.

Like a crime procedural, the story unfolds within an apartment complex and examines the secrets and lies of its various residents, after a mysterious fire burns down the building. As the investigating detective interrogates each resident in his search for a culprit, the hidden truths of its residents’ lives begin to surface. The plot centers on the lives of three different families, whose marital troubles are the flashpoint of the narrative. To understand what they had, we watch their backstories come to life. But what these struggling characters lost – or gained – in  the fire – becomes clear only at the play’s end  

In a convincing reflection of apartment living, each of the families in the building leads a life isolated from their neighbours. So burdened are they by their insular circumstances that they exist day-to-day in a kind of prison of their unhappiness. Miss Effie (played by Denton) is the connector of their disparate stories as the residents’ confidante and babysitter, who knows all of the families’ dynamics and dysfunction. Set against the backdrop of grief and the search for redemption, Things We Lost in the Fire navigates through intense themes, including abuse, infidelity, betrayal, and the lingering scars of past traumas, all while maintaining a sensitive portrayal of vulnerability and resilience.

This current version of Things We Lost in the Fire is a newly-workshopped remount, after the play debuted to a positive reception at the 2023 Toronto Fringe Festival. Denton is reprising her role as the charismatic and vigorous Effie Brown, who is the building’s owner and moral centre. The talented ensemble also features Lizette Mynhardt, Joshua Bishop, Mari MacDonald, Kayne Wylie, Jen Hashimoto, Matt Scerri, Brooke Friendly, and Lucy Ellis. Along with strong performances, the show boasts high production values. Atmospheric visual and sound effects augment the minimalist set design and enhance the dramatic experience with elements like flashing lights, gunshot sounds and emotionally charged music. The lighting designed by Amy Reuben underscores each family’s plight, and the show makes excellent use of images projected onto the wall of the theatre, as well as floor-to-ceiling white panels along the back and sides of the stage, which are used to conjure an urban setting such as a cityscape, fire escape and window blinds.

Music is also a significant theme and major plot element. Beautifully performed by Ellis and Mynhardt, music is integral to their characters’ arcs. Without risking a spoiler, I will advise arriving at the theatre a few minutes earlier than the curtain time to see how ingeniously (and tunefully) it is incorporated into the production from even before the play’s start.

Clearly, the play’s moving depiction of family dysfunctions that feel ripped from the headlines struck a compelling chord with Fringe audiences. And hopefully, this remount suggests a longer life for the play — I would certainly see it again. In a future version, I wonder if the dialogue could be pulled back to reduce some of the exposition, especially at the end, allowing the actors to shine in the nuanced depictions that they present so convincingly. 

The mix of suspense, emotional depth and visual variety makes Things We Lost in the Fire a memorable exploration of meaty, real-life themes. And the play aims its memorable final message squarely at all of us who live among neighbours whom we don’t know nearly well enough.

“Things We Lost in the Fire” is on stage at Crow’s Theatre only until April 21, 2024. Visit crowstheatre.com to reserve tickets.

© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2024