Osimous Theatre, directed by Bob Frazer, creates theatre that plays with the traditional conventions of the form. For example, for their latest production, Vincent River, a different pair of actors takes the stage each night having never rehearsed together. The result, on the night I saw the show, was visceral and intense, raising the stakes and ensuring that the actors were completely absorbed in the story.

In the opening scene, Anita returns to her new apartment, unpacked boxes still scattered around, and leaves her door open to let Davey follow her inside. She has never met Davey, but has seen him outside her place and noticed him following her. You might think she’d try to avoid him, but that night she took pity on him with his black eye and told him to come inside.

What gradually surfaces as the night wears on about how the two characters are connected is full of suspense and tragedy. The two discussed the death of Anita’s son and Davey’s relationship to him, Anita’s past, and what all of it means.

At Little Mountain Gallery, which is small and reminiscent of an unfinished basement, the two actors filled the space with passionate performances and even managed to destroy a couple of the set pieces in their unbridled fits of anger.  

Through prying information out of each other, some strange sexual tension, and lots of gin, Anita and Davey came to terms with Vincent’s unnecessary death caused by bigotry and hate. As these two searched for answers and navigated their unique relationship, the power of this story permeated the audience and left the room speechless and teary eyed.

Vincent River is presented by Osimous Theatre at Little Mountain Gallery from September 9 to 20. For more information, visit osimous.com.