Reviews of productions based in Toronto – theatre includes traditional definitions of theatre, as well as dance, opera, comedy, performance art, spoken word performances, and more. Productions may be in-person, or remote productions streamed online on the Internet.
I went to see Waiting for André, written and performed by John Arthur Sweet, on Monday. I wanted to like the performance, with its gentle romantic storyline, and an endearing performance by Sweet, but I’m starting to think that one-man shows may not be my kind of thing.
It is extraordinarily difficult to write and perform a one-man show, so kudos to Sweet for taking on the difficult task. For all intents and purposes these shows involve one actor catching and keeping the attention of an audience for 60 minutes. Continue reading Waiting for André (Hard Times) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review→
Fat animator becomes skinny performer – a story of what happens in between playing at the Toronto Fringe Festival
Songs about Orangeville, life lessons learned at Sheridan College, an ode to a yet-unconceived ugly baby. These are just a few gems from the 2010 Fringe Festival’s Amy Zuch’s Key to Key. On the surface, it’s about a fat animator who becomes a skinny performer. But it’s more than that – it’s a personal tale (starring the writer herself) that portrays her younger, lumpier and obsessive-compulsive self as she takes the steps toward a healthier self and a career that doesn’t revolve around creating unrealistic Disney princesses. Continue reading Amy Zuch's Key to Key (Combustive Theatre) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review→
One person shows are the backbone of any fringe festival. From TJ Dawe to Jem Rolls to Chris Gibbs, there has been no shortage of genius individual performances. Chris Craddock has, in the past, reached these heights. But in his one person show Public Speaking showing at the Helen Gardiner, he falls a little short.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a decent show. Bradley Moss’ direction is tight and clean, pacing the show at a breakneck speed. The lighting is simple and effective. But the impression I got was he attempted to squeeze a 75 minute (at least) show into a 60 minute slot (even though it ran 65 minutes).
Sia is the story about a young student who travels to West Africa to do volunteer work. It’s playing at St.Vladimir’s Theatre on Spadina during Fringe.
The venue is old and certainly nothing fancy. It reminded me of being in a church auditorium. This is quite fitting, because this play involves much soul searching. It is very emotional and many people left with damp eyes. At times the performance was as powerful as a religious experience.
Sia combines the birth and uncertainty of a new “friendship” of two men. It’s actually a hostage situation, but there are undertones of a friendship.
Brendan McMurty-Howlett plays the Nick volunteer and Thomas Antony Olajide plays Abraham. Olajide is particularly powerful. His acting is especially convincing and his presence exceptional. He holds a 2nd degree Black Belt, which pays huge dividends in terms of his confidence and non verbal communication.
Factcheck is an actor’s play, to be sure. Courtenay Stevens plays all of the 16 characters in this show about an overstressed magazine fact-checker. This gives him a chance to practice his voices, switch his focus, and carry a 60-minute show by himself.
He does it well. Stevens’ skill is impressive and there are many funny moments. I felt a little schizophrenic just trying to keep up with him. But unfortunately, Courtenay’s performance doesn’t make up for the fact that there’s an underlying discomfort throughout the play.
