by Michelle Barker

The story of an ex-playwright cursed with a farcical life comes to the Toronto Fringe

I really thought that this show was going to be a drama when I went to see it.  Something about the definite article The just screams drama to me.  The Aquarium is actually a romantic comedy.  And it’s making audiences laugh and feel romantic at Factory Theatre right now.

The Aquarium is the story of Jeanette, a woman who quit writing plays after her first success and has since had her life filled with comical and inexplicable happenings.  When she moves in with two male roommates, the comedy quickly turns into a romance.

I realized pretty early on in the show that it wasn’t my cup of tea, but I really appreciated the clever premise and there was some pretty outstanding physical comedy performed by the actors.  The audience really responded to the absurd antics of Jeanette’s sexually-aggressive roommate George who brought a lot of the energy to the piece.

For me, characters in secondary roles really stole the show for me.  Allison Price and Nate Callens brought most of the laughs throughout the piece in ridiculous roles such as a larger-than-life milk maid, cupid, and Jesus Christ himself.

I also thought that the lighting was quite outstanding.  Even with limited lighting plot options, fabulous effects were created to take this production to the next level.

Check this feel-good show out with your significant other.  The piece runs at 75 minutes.

– The Aquarium is playing at the Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst Street)
– Performance times
Sun, July 4 4:45 PM
Mon, July 5 2:45 PM
Tue, July 6 10:30 PM
Thu, July 8 Noon
Sat, July 10 7:30 PM
– All individual Fringe tickets are $10 ($5 for FringeKids) at the door (cash only),  Online at www.fringetoronto.com, by Phone at 416-966-1062, in person (June 30 – July 11 only) at The Randolph Centre for the Arts, 736 Bathurst Street (Advance tickets are $11 ($10+$1 convenience fee), and $5 for FringeKids (no convenience fee for kids tickets).
– Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows