Peter n’ Chris and the mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel (Peter n’ Chris) 2012 Toronto Fringe Review

Peter n' Chris and the Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel at Toronto Fringe 2012

So nice when my first Fringe show is a comedy – and it makes me laugh.  Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson are a triple quadruple threat duo from Vancouver. They wrote, choreographed, directed and performed The Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel.

The thing about the mystery is that there is no mystery – the manager did it. I’m not giving anything away here, it’s in the program. Imagine The Hungry Heart Motel as a kinder, funnier, madcap Bates Motel. Makes you want to stay there, doesn’t it?This is great physical comedy- the best car dancing ever and a great car accident. Of course there is no car, the set consists of one box about the size of a blanket box.  There is also a bloody sheet that comes into play when the box is a bed. Props consist of a couple of knives.

Peter and Chris have a kind of Bing Crosby/ Bob Hope thing going on with little asides and comments to each other and lots of running away from scary stuff. They really seem to be enjoying themselves on stage. The choreography is terrific and so is their timing.

There’s no point in trying to summarize the plot; the plot is unimportant. Instead I’ll tell you about a few of the things I loved, the things that are going to stay with me.

  • An analysis of the lyrics of Hungry Heart that concludes that it’s a song about murder – that he ripped her face off.
  • Murdsman – a man who commits murder.
  • The chase scene with Chris playing two characters, the pursuer and the pursued.
  • The automatic sensor tap.
  • The shower and the shower scene.
  • The Heebie Jeebies
  • The reference to Jian Ghomeshi

Don’t worry, there’s lots more, I haven’t given it all away.

This is comedy of the ridiculous – sort of travelling salesman and the farmers daughter. You know it would never happen but it’s so funny.

There’s only one thing I can’t figure out. Why did I write ‘adorable’ in my notes? If you figure it out please let me know.

Details:

  • – Peter n’ Chris and the Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel plays at Venue 6, The George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place)
  • Show times: July 04 07:00 PM, July 06 03:00 PM, July 08 05:45 PM, July 09 10:00 PM, July 11 11:30 PM, July 13 02:45 PM, July 14 08:00 PM
  • All individual Fringe tickets are $10 at the door (cash only). Tickets are available online at www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062, in person at The George Ignatieff Theatre 15 Devonshire Place. (Advance tickets are $11 – $9+$2 service charge)
  • Value packs are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows