A man sits reading in a red armchair in his living room as play begins. He is dressed to kill. Everything he wears reeks of old money and thoughtful choice. The man, SILVIO, is 40 years old, handsome in a classic mould, but something about him does not lead to easy definitions. There is a knock at the front door. Silvios’s head tilts up and he stares straight ahead for a period as if awaiting a verdict. Other more insistent knocks follow. He sets his book down and stands. We notice he is of middle height and built well, as if he has worked for the body he carries, which he carries now with purpose to the door.

A lady appears. She is young, stunningly beautiful. Her name is LAURA.

LAURA: Hi. I’m from the agency.

Terminal is a black comedy in one act that explores the relationship between sex and death. Silvio decides he wants to kill himself and he wants to make it interesting. So he invites a prostitute named Laura over to give him a send off. Laura is a beautiful, young, university psychology major who is moonlighting at this job because she loves sex and because she says she wants to help people. She is a sweet, empathetic person on the surface but underlying this she is completely different.

Terminal tackles the Big Question philosophers have put to themselves since antiquity. That question is whether life is worth living or simply some tedious imposition. Silvio takes the latter position and believes it is his right to terminate his life. In this he is diametrically in opposition to Laura whose opinion is the more common one. Laura tries to sex Silvio out of his decision.

Written and Directed by: Ron Kozloff for Ephemera Productions
Starring: Todd Harrop, Janice Wu

Having moved from Ontario one year ago, Todd Harrop is thrilled to participate in his first Montreal Fringe. Recent credits include Betrayal and The Trial of Ebeneezer Scrooge (Theatre & Company), Masterclass (Theatre Athena), Harbingers of Spring (Open Ears), The Spitfire Grill (The Grand Theatre), plus dance roles in Boat Ballet (Oceans Across Currents) and A Court of Miracles (Dancetheatre David Earle), publication in She Speaks: monologues for women (Playwrights Canada Press) and, with his hometown community theatre, music director for The Sound of Music (Royal City Musical Productions).

Janice Wu is delighted to be a part of Montreal Fringe this year. She has been actively involved in the city’s independent theatre scene, taking on roles ranging from “The Critic” in the absurdist piece The Infernal Tragedy (Open Heart Theatre), to Betty in the Gleams Theatre production of Sure Thing, and Mrs. Smith in the Ionesco classic The Bald Soprano. She has also performed in several independent films.

Janice settled in Montreal after studying theatre with Arts York in her hometown of Unionville, Ontario, and Bishop’s University in the Eastern Townships where she holds an honours degree in Drama. In addition to acting, Janice’s other passions include travel and food.

Photos by Cindy Lopez