3 Hours, 10 Minutes

Reviewed by Mina Saeed

The vibe of 3 Hours, 10 Minutes is timely. 

This is a show that is extremely relevant to many issues that are present in our current society. An anonymous man is looking at a painting, facing the audience, when an anonymous woman comes up to him and begins a discussion about the painting. The man has been looking at the painting for the past 3 hours, after reading an article that states that keeping your attention on one thing, for even 10 minutes, can be life-changing. Immediately, the show tackles the prominent issue of our attention spans and how much they have gotten shorter since the rise of social media and technology. 

The show was extremely nuanced, and the chemistry between the characters was captivating. Their dialogue felt very intricate and really made me think. For example, the characters discussed the way everyone has different interpretations of art, which relates to how everyone sees the world differently and notices different details depending on who you are. 

At one point in the show, the man starts studying the woman the way he has been studying the painting. This was a really beautiful moment showing that there is so much to discover in a human, and because humans also have many details and imperfections, we are like art.

Another element that enhances the experience is the way the venue becomes an art gallery. The audience is able to view the piece of art described in the show before or after the performance. This immersive element will be even more prominent when the show is presented at the AGH this November.

3 Hours, 10 Minutes was a beautiful story that is very timely and relevant for our world today and is a show that is worth watching to spark discussion and deep thought about humans, art, and life. As said in the show, “It really is quite something.”

Event Details

Mini Bar $8

Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)

Genre: Theatre—Drama

Run Time: 20 mins

Two strangers, one painting. What do they see in it? What do they see in each other? An exploration of connection, reflection and the power of shared experience in an age of screens, self-absorption and disconnection.

Playwright/Director

Raymond Beauchemin

Actor

Melissa Murray-Mutch

Actor

Mark Gamache

Warnings

None