David Sexsmith

Improv is tough & my hat is off to the cast for their efforts. There might have been more to work with if the love story was opposite sex. The two women had a hard time making it believable. They did a really cute bit in front of the stage holding different parts of their bodies. But later on when singing was added, the results were a bit hide behind the couch. Huge commitment from the American man and good timing from the Canadian man. I agree with the other reviewer that the ending needs revising - yes, they needed to wrap up the audience volunteer somehow, but ours got basically kicked out of the theatre & I had to bring her her bag afterwards.

I read a review either in Toronto Star or Next that said the actor should have had more lighting changes. I beg to differ - I thought the lighting did a lot to create mood and different spaces. It's amazing how much Peter Thompson was able to create by great song writing, an amazing voice, some bare bones set/props and good lighting. I've never read the book because it seemed like too much of a slog to get through, but there's so much in the story and I'm glad I got to see this clever actor bring it to life.

The virtue signalling at the beginning was grating: repeating the land acknowledgement, the first actor impressing us by showing she knows the Indigenous name for Vancouver, assuring us that they wouldn't do Shakespeare with any of the values of Shakespeare. It set the wrong tone: she could have been connecting with the audience by sharing a small personal story or asking a question to someone in the audience because she soon had to pivot to getting a story from us. But the cast has talent and timing and I laughed a lot.

I felt a collective sense of awe at the stamina of the performers from the audience at the end. And Tyler Horvath is a stand-out. I hope he spends most of his career in Toronto cause he's one to follow.

I echo (had to slide that in) an earlier comment about a lack of plot. It would have helped to have a small set piece (a hat, a scarf) that changed hands and became a through line. Because I definitely didn't know why it was called Echoes of You by the end. There were good partner scenes, some one vs the many which made things interesting. Some more space would have helped - they kept the mid curtain closed but it meant the dancers had to be very careful where they placed their legs.

You're in capable hands with the host who both makes us laugh and cracks up frequently at the absurdity of audience suggestions and of the character choices of her cast.