Review: Dark, edgy 'Collision' leads to violence

Michael Cullen is both confident and pliable as alcoholic, middle-aged Professor Denton, the only character here who makes any sense about why he's genuinely depressed. He makes an interesting speech about God and Death that is almost comical, saying that he sees Death "in the most unlikely places, in a baby's face, in a bride's demeanor."

So many events in the play seem satirical rather than dramatically credible, like Denton's speeches or when Grange orders Bromley to hit Denton and the big lug just does it, bashing away like a cartoon character on command. Then they all hug and become friends and get stoned together with Doe, and plan to live "happily ever after."

But Grange, who films all their interactions while claiming he's making a movie that will be "half documentary, half fiction," has other plans. When he buys them all guns from a criminal named Renel (played with simple relish by Craig 'muMs' Grant) and goads them into hatred, the inevitable ending of the play becomes clear, but even at just 100 minutes in total, it takes much too long to get there.

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