by AMY BARRATT

The companies that dazzle us the most are those that strike out in bold new directions with each new work. Fathom, SaBooge Theatre's latest offering, strikes me as an attempt to recreate a winning formula, adhering rather too closely to the mould of its last show, Hatched. Where Hatched, based on an Angela Carter story, was about a circus freak who was part woman part bird, Fathom is about a young man who can breathe underwater. The working title was Fishboy. Both pieces are set in the 19th century.

That's not to say that Fathom, currently at the Saidye ‘B' Off Centre as part of the New Classical Theatre Fest, has nothing to offer. Particularly those who have never seen this company before will be dazzled by its creative staging and chameleon-like acting. A SaBooge show tends to bear some resemblance to a Theatre Smith-Gilmour (Toronto) show, not surprisingly since both companies are founded by disciples of Jacques Lecoq, of the famous Paris clown school. In fact, there's a hanging laundry bit in Fathom that I've seen before, and I think it was in a Smith-Gilmour show. Both companies eschew straight dramatic texts in favour of adapting works of fiction to the stage. Fathom is set at the dawn of the Victorian age in Van Diemen's Land, otherwise known as Tasmania, which, as one character tells us, is populated by two distinct groups: the King's men and the convicts.

The main reason to see Fathom is the acting. Kayla Fell is unbelievably good as the provincial do-gooder Lady Jane Franklin, managing to make her portrayal both broad and specific. Adrienne Kapstein - as Sarah Findley, transported to the colony for stealing food - creates a portrait of such abject misery and despair that when the actress came out for the curtain call, smiling, I barely recognized her. As for Patrick Costello as Fabian Findley, I have never seen a human being look so uncannily like a fish out of water.

Also this August

Meanwhile, the summer theatre scene is still going strong. Repercussion Theatre has had bad luck with rain-outs of its family-friendly Midsummer Night's Dream, but there are still five more performances to go in city parks. Catch them tonight, Aug. 12, in NDG Park, Friday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 15, in Westmount Park, and Aug. 17 in Howard Park in Park-Ex. Showtime is 6:30 p.m., more info at 916-PARK.

Now playing at Village Theatre West in Hudson is Casa de Mary Margaret, a brand new play by chronically under-appreciated local wit Colleen Curran. Directed by Andrew Johnston, it continues to Aug. 29, (450) 458-5361.

At the Piggery in North Hatley, Townships Stage is presenting the Quebec premiere of Kingfisher Days, by Toronto actress Susan Coyne. It previews tonight, and runs from Aug. 14–29, 1-866-565-4957.

Théâtre Lac Brome's repertory season continues with performances remaining for all three shows: Michel Marc Bouchard's Night Butterflies has two performances left, Aug. 14 and 19; Home and Beauty, by Somerset Maugham, is on

Aug. 13 and 20 with a matinée on the 29th. An original creation, Opera Comique Moderne has shows left Aug. 17 and 21. In addition, tonight and Aug. 18, Lac Brome plays host to Geordie Theatre's production of Mary's Wedding (450) 242-2270.

Fathom plays in rep with Gravy Bath Productions' Kali Yuga, to Aug. 19 at the New Classical Theatre Festival, Saidye ‘B' Off Centre (5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine), 540-0774, $10–$15

>> Stage Listings