Gnomon's Land

I have been describing this show to my friends as 4 Sims versus the unrelenting passage of time, but even that description does not do justice to the amount of work and talent on display in this production.

The cast of Gnomon's Land consists of four incredibly dedicated clowns who lay it all out on the stage, blending the vulnerability and the rawness each scene requires with the exaggerated physical comedy that threads the show together. The performers are engaging and interesting to watch, whether they're stepping up as the focus of a sequence or posing as set pieces. They slide between roles smoothly, using accessories and body language to communicate both tangible identities and more abstract characters.

The most enjoyable thing about Gnomon's Land for me was how clearly intentional every element was. Every single technical element contributes to the whole in a way that is cohesive and purposeful, driving action and characters. The entire team is making the most of every moment of attention and communicating feelings and moments and fears that are so fundamentally human it's genuinely breathtaking. I've seen the show multiple times, and every single viewing I get to pick out more details and choices, and each one only enhances my appreciation for this show and this team.

If you have the chance to see it, Gnomon's Land will give you heart, humour, and the kind of honesty that's only possible through live theatre.

This was exactly what I needed to see today. I love a show that explores a theme without lecturing. I love clever stagecraft. I love clowns. This show had it all.

To start with the performances, I was blown away. The physical comedy has balls to the wall energy and runs a mile a minute. There isn’t an empty moment on stage and every performer is fully invested. Each character is distinct from the others in their mannerisms, both big and small. When I think of exemplary clowning, this is exactly what I think of. Just outstanding work from all four performers.

More importantly, I love the structure of this play. It’s pretty straightforward, which is not usually my preference; I prefer works that jump around, overlap, and circle round and round. This show is split into 4 sections, each a meditation on anxieties around the passage of time. With each part, the stories move further and further into abstraction. At some moments, they pull out of abstraction entirely into the real world, which is not always my favourite thing to happen in a fictional play, but everything else was so precisely what I wanted that I let it slide.

Luckily, it wasn’t as grating as it could’ve been because it leads to a lovely, heartfelt close that was corny as hellllll BUT fully destroyed me. I wept like a LOSER and then had to wipe my tears with my sweater because I didn’t want the artists to see me in the front row during their bows looking like a sap.

How can it be that we have access to so many wonderful, young artists in this town making engaging, thoughtful, and original plays? I want to see this again. I want to see this creative team’s future work. I want people to skip yet another improv show and see something 10 times funnier and 10 times more moving like this show.

They have SO much energy. I was exhausted watching them run around. It was funny. It is very clown, almost no spoken words. And an interesting story of the passage of time

"Gnomon's Land", produced by Staged Theatre Productions, follows four clowns, all numerically named, in four vignettes that focus on each clown individually. From 00's complicated birthday party, to 30's emotional day at the office, the show offers a clown's perspective on something we all know too well, time.

To begin, Gnomon's Land is a feat of performance and direction. Following four clowns (Marshall Eglinski, Jenn Houle, Natasha Morra, Jack Walker) who speak in only gibberish and body language, each actor shows an impressive understanding of movement and physical comedy, communicating the emotional heart of the show through only their facial expressions and body movement with great success. While all incredibly strong, Jenn Houle and Marshall Eglinski stood out in particular for their effective storytelling and physical communication throughout. Of course, much of this must come from their director (Grace Fitzgerald) who uses every inch of the stage, and creates fascinating stage pictures, almost using the actors as set pieces in a way that truly works.

For the story, created by Grace Fitzgerald and Thomas Moore, it is unlikely audience members will leave truly understanding everything, especially as clown is an inherently enigmatic form of art. That being said, the emotional core comes through clearly. The show is curated to often lean closer to dance than physical theatre, and the show's message is told similar to dance performances, with great emphasis on facial expression and pace of movement to let the audience into what the clowns are feeling. It is a very compelling piece of theatre, and clearly created with much heart. As well, the lighting design (Thomas Moore) was crucial in bringing certain beats to life and truly elevated the show.

In an otherwise masterclass of silent (ish) storytelling, one of the only aspects which took me out of the performance was the projection screen which played animations while the scenes were happening. While I appreciate the reference to the Fleischer style, animated history of clown, as the actors were already doing a strong job selling the beats, it felt like a distraction from their work and took me out of their world. The idea was there, but in execution it felt unneeded.

All in all, Gnomon's Land was a strong showcase in clown storytelling, from an incredibly well picked team. The emotional beats hit, the design was strong, and the concept well executed. I'm excited to see what Staged Theatre Productions does next!

Andrea Noga, Alberta Youth Theatre Collective.

Who thought you could be utterly engaged without dialogue! The strength of the physical comedy and the expressions of the 4 performers bring this emotional performance alive. It is poignant and moving while making you laugh at life's transitions. Laughed, cried and left thinking. What more can I ask from a Fringe Show? Bravo.

There are some shows that entertain you, and then there are shows that leave you thinking long after the curtain closes. Gnomon's Land falls into the latter category. Through movement, dance, mime, and expressive performance, the production explores the different stages and experiences that shape a person's life, creating a piece that is both playful and deeply heartfelt. One of the strongest elements of the show is the physical performance of the four clowns. Their body language and facial expressions communicate so much, often without the need for words. Each clown has their own distinct colour, clothing, and personality, making it easy to follow their individual journeys while also seeing how they interact with one another. Their movements together tell a story of connection, change, and the challenges that come with growing and moving through life. The combination of lighting and sound helps shape the mood throughout the performance, with each change complementing what is happening on stage. Dance and mime become important tools for telling the story, allowing the clowns to express emotions through movement rather than words. The balance between lighthearted humour and more serious moments keeps the audience emotionally engaged from beginning to end. What makes the production especially touching are the unexpected emotional moments woven throughout the performance. There are scenes that can bring a smile one moment and leave you reflecting the next. The care and thought put into the piece are evident in the way the performers use even the smallest gestures and expressions to communicate something meaningful. As the clowns move through experiences that can be familiar to many people -leaving childhood behind, entering adulthood, facing change, and discovering where different choices can lead-the show encourages the audience to consider their own journey. Gnomon's Land is more than a physical theatre performance; it is a heartfelt reminder of how quickly life can change and how meaningful the moments along the way can become. By the end, you may find yourself looking back at your own experiences and wondering how you arrived at where you are today. With its expressive performances, thoughtful storytelling, humour, and emotional depth, Gnomon's Land offers an experience that is both visually engaging and genuinely moving.

Emotional, entertaining, hilarious! This show draws you in and makes you think - about your life, your relationships, your experiences, and how we all exist together. Compelling storytelling and outstanding performances by all four actors. An engaging experience from the minute you walk in the door!

Clowning at its absolute best!

Four clowns leave it all on the stage while portraying different phases of life marked by 00, 15, 30, and 45 on the sun dial.

I felt all emotions as I watched the clowns act out the innocence of childhood, the pain of adolescence, the grind of middle age, and fear of elder hood.

I laughed and cried, and got completely engrossed in this tender story that will touch anyone with a beating heart.

The last 10 minutes will leave you in tears—in a good way. 💕

An amazing show. From the moment you enter the theater you know your for a treat. Physicality is second to none. The actors give it their all and it makes you want it to go on forever. Loved all of it

Amazing how a show without words can be hilarious and painful and touching all at the same time. This show is an extremely thoughtful and well put-together adventure through life's events and challenges. Best of all, the viewer is free to interpret the story through their own lens as well as through those of the characters. Story: incredible. Actors: brilliant! I loved it!!