The Gas Station At The

Edge Of The Universe

Show Description

The Gas Station at the Edge of the Universe follows Sawyer, a recent university graduate, as they return to their hometown in rural northern Canada. After reuniting with their childhood best friend Casey, it becomes clear that something is amiss as masked creatures begin seeking them out, threatening both their relationship and their lives. As their once-familiar hometown becomes unrecognizable, the two must learn to forgive and let go before they lose themselves to their crumbling realities.

Presented At:
York University, Toronto ON

Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh

CREDITS

Playwright: Trinity Tacknyk

Director: Trinity Tacknyk

Stage Manager: Zach Giardine

Assistant Stage Manager: Samantha Derbyshire

Lighting Design: Jade Showers

Sound Design: Zach Giardine

Costume Design: Rachel Van Staalduinen

Props Design: Sophie Cheung & Jenny Yang

Set Design: Vic Lusby

Fight Coordinator: Matt Finnigan

Photo Credit: Megan Emmie

“Wyrmwood Theatre takes a surreal journey into the depths of memory with the help of some mysterious masked creatures. It sets the audience up nicely for an unsettling hour of horror with a dash of humour! The abstract nature of the play means everyone’s interpretation will be different. With The Gas Station at the edge of the universe, Trinity Tacknyk has created a thought-provoking portrait of the unreliability of memory and the transient nature of grief.”

4 STARS: Lothian Life (Professional Critic)
“This is quite simply a beautiful piece of writing, brought to vivid life by a wonderful Canadian team. Video projection and a full soundscape cleverly transport us into the woods for the journey. I simply cannot put its emotional impact into words: all I know is that it has left a mark on me that I will hold in my heart for a very long time.”

4 STARS: Everything Theatre (Professional Critic)
"Absolutely breathtaking visual spectacle. A perfect mix of unsettling characters and heartfelt storytelling. Without a doubt one of the best Fringe shows I have seen with a deliciously detailed script that will have you putting pieces together long after you leave the venue. I have not even mentioned the stunning lighting and sound design, the latter of which really brings the piece together with eerie ambience and bittersweet melodies. You absolutely cannot miss this! "

Adrian Chnaiderman (Audience Member)
"Gas Station at the Edge of the Universe was an impactful and beautifully crafted production. The sound design played a major role in shaping the mood and flow of the piece, adding emotional weight to key moments and helping pull the audience into the world of the story. The York University performers were incredibly impressive, bringing honesty and depth to their characters. Meaningful writing resulted in the production of a powerful story."

Julie Harrington (Audience Member)
A weird and wonderful piece that with amazing acting performances and production design. From the moment you walk into the theatre you can tell you are in for an amazing show, the sound design to the incredible physicality and mask work done by the actors it truly immerses you into the wacky journey the leads have to take to simply get to what they believe is the closest gas station. This play is truly a testament to how dangerous nostalgia can be and how important it is to not let grief dictate our lives.

Spencer Simpson (Audience Member)
"I enjoyed the acrobatic performances and enthusiastic acting of the cast. The plot was minimalist and touching brought together by a superbly acted goldfish. Excellent lighting and sounds. Recommend for anyone looking to reflect on a childhood in a distant town."

David Davies (Audience Member)
"Gas station expertly explores what makes death terrifying, the mask and physicality work by the actors was world-class: hypnotizing and bone-chilling. even the maskless, human characters are portrayed captivatingly, capturing the confusion and bliss of this almost world ... the disorientation culminated in a tear-jerking catharsis by the end of the play."

Jordan D’Amico (Audience Member)
"Gas Station was a wonderful piece of theatre full of sensorial elements of sound, images, mask work and physical theatre that delved the audience even deeper into this surreal story of love, friendship and grief. I was taken by it the moment it began and moved very deeply by this story of loss and journey. I didn't know how much I needed this show! Well done to a truly imaginative team!!"

Lisa Randall (Audience Member)
“The acting feels fresh and authentic, while the beautiful masks add another layer to the exploration of memory, death and the afterlife. A distinctive and ambitious piece of theatre that is at times funny, unsettling and genuinely moving: a promising debut from a young company.”

Ida Casilli (Audience Member)
"This is easily my favourite production I’ve seen at the fringe, beautifully written and stunningly performed! The moments of absurdity contradict wonderfully with the heart wrenching moments of truthful emotional connection. The costumes and props were also incredible, making the entire experience a visual feast. As a performer myself I’ve not felt so inspired by a piece of art in a long time! Please continue to make wonderfully weird theatre, and I encourage as many people to see this show as possible!! "

Becky Tadd (Audience Member)