Morro and Jasp: Save The Date (U.N.I.T Productions) 2018 Toronto Fringe Review

photo of Heather Marie Annis and Amy Lee courtesy of U.N.I.T Productions

There’s nothing like a Morro & Jasp show: not in other time slots at Tarragon Theatre, not in the whole of the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival, not ever. Toronto’s favorite clown sisters have a new two-hander in the Fringe this year and it’s everything you ever wanted from them – bickering, antics, deep emotional engagement with the foundations of human connection, belly laughs and snacks.

In Morro and Jasp: Save the Date, we have come to the point of Jasp’s wedding and everyone is having a lot of feelings about this. Jasp, extremely imperious refined as ever, is organizing herself a wedding which is definitely not based on and has in fact nothing to do with that of the former Megan Markle, Duchess of Frimbleton or whatever it is. Morro… is trying very hard to help.

Certain familiar Morro and Jasp mainstays get checked off along the way. Jasp loses her temper, Morro makes a mess, an ill-advised plan is attempted and nearly completed despite obstacles like gravity and time. They’re not less funny for being familiar; in fact there’s a way they’re funnier, more accessible. They’re jokes you’ve become fond of, in the way adults can be fond of someone they’ve known since that person was new and small. Seeing a gag or bit at all its stages makes it that much better, and if they’re new to you they’re still a ton of fun.

As usual, director Byron Laviolette is the third hand in Morro and Jasp’s appearances, and except for some awfully long scene changes he helps the duo maintain their comic timing and scene tension to the last. Laviolette remains a strong rudder here.

There’s so much to like in Morro and Jasp: Save the Date, so much to relate to, so many honest feelings like “I want to feel special,” and “I don’t want to be alone,” and “Who took my snack?” It’s hard to imagine the supercilious grump who could fail to be charmed by them, but if you know that guy leave him home. You, come and enjoy, as always.

Details

  • Morro and Jasp: Save the Date plays at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace. (30 Bridgman Ave.)
  • Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
  • Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
  • Content Warnings: Mature language; Audience participation.
  • This venue is barrier-free. Designated accessible seating is in the middle of the auditorium.
  • Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.

Performances

  • Friday July 6th, 8:45 pm
  • Saturday July 7th, 9:15 pm
  • Sunday July 8th, 8:30 pm
  • Tuesday July 10th, 3:00 pm
  • Wednesday July 11th, 5:45 pm
  • Thursday July 12th, 11:00 pm
  • Sunday July 15th, 1:45 pm