REVIEWS // THE FATHER
THE TORONTO STAR
“...the best performers and solid direction and design... has become Coal Mine’s standard”
THE GLOBE AND MAIL ★★★ 1/2
“The Father is a candid account of age-caused dementia, evenly wrought and clear of pity. The Coal Mine production is tight, fearless and worthy of the script.”
NOW MAGAZINE NNN
“Director Ted Dykstra keeps a tight rein on the production, linking scenes with snatches of Debussy (subtle sound design by Richard Feren) and rearranging Anna Treuschs tasteful set and Bonnie Beechers moody, autumnal lighting for maximum effect.”
“Expect a Dora nomination and probably a win for Peterson.”
STAGE DOOR ★★★★★
“Coal Mine Theatre has given the Toronto premiere of Florian Zeller’s The Father a tight, precise production that captures both the simplicity and mystery of the play.”
“Peterson gives what must be the most detailed portrait of a man suffering increasing dementia ever seen on a Toronto stage.”
“The Father is a play no one should miss. It underscores the Coal Mine Theatre’s reputation as one of the most consistently exciting theatre companies in Toronto.”
ON STAGE BLOG
“Occasionally, a play will probably gut punch an audience so hard emotionally it might be hesitant in applauding during the curtain call because it seems so out of place, or so wrong to do so...Tonight, this occurred for me in seeing The Coal Mine Theatre’s extraordinarily moving and par excellence ensemble production of ‘The Father’ by Florian Zeller.”
“And in the outstandingly, remarkable directorial hands of Coal Mine Chief Engineer Ted Dykstra, this near flawless production moved me so many times and continues to do so two hours later.”
“Beg, borrow or plead to get a ticket and to see true ensemble perfection.”
JAMES KARAS
“a sensitive, elusive and masterful production by Coal Mine Theatre. It is lyrical, captivating and incredibly moving.”
“The Father is a small gem of a play which receives a highly laudable production by Coal Mine under the expert hand of director Ted Dykstra. And it’s in a tiny theatre on Danforth Avenue.”
BYNOE ON ARTS
MOONEY ON THEATRE
MY ENTERTAINMENT WORLD
ISTVAN REVIEWS
THE SLOTKIN LETTER
“A delicate yet heart wrenching production...”
“That said, this production beautifully illuminates what every character is going through, none more than André because of Eric Peterson, in this towering performance.”
“Director Ted Dykstra has created a beautiful production, languidly paced so that the play’s surprises are revealed with a quiet ease that always seems to keep the audience unbalanced, in a good way.”
BATEMAN REVIEWS
“a spellbinding show - not to be missed”