Review: Emily Strikes Back

During March ComiCon, local upstart theatre troupe Plays By Bird had the opportunity to perform their brand new, nerdy-themed one act play Emily Strikes Back.

Set in May of 1980 in a town not so far away, a group of friends tackle their lives, spoilers, and each other as they witness the debut of The Empire Strikes Back.

In 45 minutes, this geek comedy packs a lot of punch. Between all the witty zingers there is a breadth of insight about fandom, relationships, gender and the sci-fi genre. Written by and co-starring troupe founder Brian Bird, the play has pacing and dialogue just as exciting and clever as the classic saga which inspired it. As both a love letter and a roast to Star Wars, the drama invoked anticipation, laughter and wonderment. Overall, the play feels like a spiritual successor to the indie flick Fanboys, albeit slightly more optimistic.

Just because it’s a young company doesn’t mean the performance is amateurish – the chemistry between the actors makes for an authentic and energetic dynamic. Some of the best parts in the play, such as a fangirl dressed as Leia reacting to the friends’ banter, had no dialogue at all and relied purely on physicality to convey their role.

At times, the characters felt more like archetypes or nerdy stereotypes rather than completely fleshed out people. We had the obsessive ‘manchild’ type of Star Wars fan, the non-geeky supportive girlfriend, and even the token Trekkie looking for a fight. But nonetheless, they are likable with a snappy narrative flow.

Be sure to keep an eye on Plays By Bird. If Emily Strikes Back is an indication of what they can do, the Force is strong with these ones.

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