SALT LAKE CITY — On July 28th, I saw Non at the Salt Lake Fringe Festival. Non, written by local playwright Matthew Ivan Bennett, is a parody about living within a two party system. The play is only about forty five minutes long, and in some ways bears very little resemblance to modern times. All of the actors are wearing period clothing, and have names – Burlap (played by Jax Jackman), Puchis (played by Jason Bowcutt) and Lemeau (played by Brenda Hattingh Peatross) that seem connected to neither place nor time. The play also seems takes place in the past – Burlap is a dung digger and illiterate – and makes mention of merchants, works 10-12 hour days and has family who have worked in the mines. Additionally, the two party system is represented by Yellow and Purple, and Burlap has been summoned to decide which party they want to vote for. They are considered a non – affiliated with no party.
The play does a great job of alluding to things, creating enough parallels that helps connect it to modern day without getting caught up in caricatures that makes it seem like commentary on American politics. So it’s a comedy about politics, but not any specific politics of a specific time or place. For example, Lemeau (the Yellow politician) says that part of her eight part plan is to search the ocean for intelligent life. Immediately, I think they’re referring to whales but instead Burlap asks about mermaids. Both candidates get an opportunity to be interviewed by Burlap, and this is where Tyson Baker’s directing shines brightest. During each of the interviews, the actors are excitedly moving about the stage – versus simply sitting in their seats – making gestures and upping the comedy as they discuss their positions.
Fringe runs through August 4. | PC: Matthew Ivan Bennett
The distinctions between Purple and Yellow are very clear, and again, don’t rely on modern day comparisons in order to work. During Puchis’ (Purple) interview, he says that the shakes that have been happening throughout the play can’t be caused by mining (as Yellow insists), because if they were, then the shakes would happen as the mining was literally taking place. Purple is conspiratorial, alluding to secret governments within the government and shadowy figures.
Another notable feature is the use of sound effects – there are sounds of people outside though it is not clear if the scenario of the play is happening outside or inside. When the earthquake shakes happen, there is a grumbling sound effect while the lights flicker.
Non was quite funny, and had a lot of quotable lines that I missed noting due to the rapid fire delivery. Everyone is very pleasant to watch, and it’s easy to get immersed in the performance without trying to do any one to one comparisons with real life. Definitely a show worth seeing!
These reviews are made possible by a grant from the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts, and Parks program.
