Review: Heist brings big screen action to the stage in clever caper production

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Playwright Arun Lakra describes his new show at the Castle as a play by people who don’t usually go to the theater.

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It confused me at first. So, is this drama a bit like bacon for those who don’t eat real pork or beer?

But seeing the robbery (until the stage on April 13), I can agree with Lakra’s assessment: This show is like a portal drug, for those who might go to the cinema for an entertainment and fantasy party.

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The audience knew that the moment they entered the theater space, it was a shocking experience: Adele was singing, and the pressure of the pink leopard emanated from the speakers. The projector glitters and dangerous New York City skyline at night with numerous screens on the stage. Points before and after the show run on the same large number of screens to further emphasize our movies here. The only thing missing is popcorn.

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Heist is directed by Calgary’s Haysam Kadri, who was co-produced with the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario and played football there before coming to Edmonton. Calgary ophthalmologist and writer Lakra premiered in 2024 at the Vertigo Theatre in Calgary. But it was originally developed in 2022 at the Castle’s Playwrights Lab and read on the Castle’s annual New Drama Development Festival Collider.

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Inspired by capers comedy like Ocean Eleven, the play begins with Marvin (Devin Mackinnon) trying to form a group of thieves to steal a $6 million kakkaua ruby. He has an Irish accent and is very close to his family, so we believe him, right?

Marvin took the time to find the right team. The audience can say it’s the real deal as we see their photos and impressive Vitae Vitals projected behind the stage. These characters have all the compelling signs of the Jewelry Robbery Flick, including a charming weird computer expert (Priya narine as Fiona) who will delay tricky alerts, such as she opens a can of corn. Gillian Moon’s gymnastics feat as Angie (Firefly Theater and Circus alumni) made me wonder if I could glide under the laser beam of Lululemons, too. There is a rough, wise crack wildcard with gun name Kruger (Alexander Arit) and a handsome and sensitive lady man (Callan McKenna Potter as Ryan).

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Belinda Cornish introduces a sinister Germanic language as The Spider, a tall and long-legged tycoon who quickly dismantles the criminal when a bottle of rare wine is broken.

When there are some problems with the Kakkaua robbery, Marvin suspects the double cross. But how could he reveal the traitor? Well, of course, with the bigger heist, there are plenty of opportunities for dual fun with lasers, code cracks and romantic entanglements.

Designer Beyata Hackborn creates a distinct and stylish scene for the heist – a moment, a bar, the next bar, a wine cellar in a luxury home with a safe that can hold $60 million in diamonds. Richard Feren’s composition and sound design have intermittent edges that help make us all feel anchored but moving. The show is very exciting (the project and video design is very honored by Corwin Ferguson), fast-paced and clever scripting to the maximum laugh. The ending will make you happy to deceive you, biting the teeth you didn’t see it. Just like in a movie.

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Review

The castle robbery was produced in collaboration with the Grand Theater

playwright: Lacra disease

director: Haysam Kadri

Where: Citadel 9828 101 A Ave.

when: By April 13 at the Shoe Theater

Tickets: Call the box office from $40 at 780-425-1820 or CitadelTheatre.com to $40

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