Hapalochlaena

Aaron Malkin—CCFM – Salle Pauline-Boutal

Both literally and figuratively offbeat, this physical comedy thrives on building momentum only to gleefully pull the rug out from under itself. The performer is consistently impressive in his physicality, though the show’s stream-of-consciousness approach can become a little too nonsensical for its own good, often leaving the audience unsure of what is expected of them.

The strongest sequences have the charm of a live-action Silly Symphonies, but when scenes are stretched beyond their natural conclusion, the momentum begins to peter out. The performer openly acknowledges the production is still a work in progress, and it shows. While some moments feel polished, a number of onstage props and costume pieces are underused or ignored entirely.

Without a clear thematic throughline or destination, the 75-minute runtime feels a little excessive. Still, audiences with an appreciation for physical theatre will find much to enjoy in this energetic and experimental show, provided they can tolerate some awkward lags that often do not pay off.

Ashley Frantik