Company: Have you seen this theatre?, Winnipeg

Genre: Play — Drama

Venue: 3 — The Playhouse Studio

We all (should) long for a world in which hearts need not be brave, but can just be what they are, without qualification, degradation, segregation or decimation. Meanwhile we have stories like this one to carry torches for change and tolerance.

No plot summary. I won't deny you any of the pleasure I felt at being drawn in until I was hanging on every moment to figure out just what was up between these characters and why. Local legend Harry Rintoul's 1991 script about being gay, lonely and alcoholic in rural Canada has lost nothing in 25 years.

Kristian Jordan brings a mercurial magnetism to his mostly out ranch hand, and Justin Otto achieves a tightrope balance between rage and vulnerability as a mostly closeted seismologist. Ardith Boxall's direction does what excellent direction should for a contemporary, time-unified script by rendering itself invisible.

It's high octane Fringe. See for yourself.