This

The cast of "This" performing at Vancouver Playhouse Theatre

Self reflection is never easy, especially when a work of artistic fiction makes you confront your inner most thoughts. This is what "This" did for me.

Always a supporter of the arts, it was a no-brainer when I was invited by my good friend Fabrice, to watch him star in the performance of "This" at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. Appreciating the talents of his photography (have a look at his blog / website for the most incredible photos - www.fabricegrover.com) I realized I had never seen him perform live!

Not only was his performance fantastic as the love interest for the one and only Meghan Follows (formally Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables.. my childhood favorite!) but the character he plays - a French doctor without borders, gave the fresh perspective to the self involved set of personalities and relationship issues presented in this play. There is a moment towards the end of the play where 'Jean-Pierre' makes the characters and the audience poignantly realize how petty it is to worry about the he-said she-said, self loathing and time wasting thoughts we all have, when people less fortunate than ourselves are suffering all around the world.

This continues to be, for me, the reason we need to keep all artistic pursuits alive in our schools and community at large. Art in all its forms is like a mirror, showing us the good, the bad and the ugliness of our society, and gives us pause to reflect on uncomfortable topics, such as our societal guilt and selfishness.