The BUZZ – Reviews – 2014

Trouble Walked In: An Improvised Noir Mystery

Parking Lots Improv—Cinematheque

You have to hand it to a group that can spin an improvised story line for an hour. Defining some boundaries at the beginning helps, and I suspect that the actors all have film noir character types sorted out before they start, but that does not detract from their accomplishment.

On Sunday night they investigated a murder at a bookstore. The story dragged a bit at times, but mostly they kept the ball in the air, and occasionally they delivered some explosively funny lines. Most of the time when I see improv I admire the inventiveness of the performers without necessarily enjoying the story they create. Yesterday both worked for me.

Kevin Longfield

Red Hot Mama: A Sophie Tucker Cabaret

WestOfThePrairies—The Cinematheque

Wow what a show! This woman has an exceptionally powerful voice and an exceptionally powerful stage presence.

This show transports you right back to the era of cigar-scented late-night shows and raunchy jazz music. The atmosphere is amazingly set, and she plays the crowd expertly, spacing her life story out with jokes about her boyfriend Ernie, and songs relevant to her situation.

You really want to be friends with Sophie Tucker, she seems like a riot. A must-see.

Arden Pruden

Little Red

Bananafish Theatre—Playhouse Studio

This re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood has an exceptionally macabre feel to it, established immediately by the set. As the play goes on, you’re plunged into a rather surreal world that feels almost post-apocalyptic. There is a lot of talk on abstract ideas, such as The Sandman, or paths that lead nowhere and everywhere, and the whole thing feels very metaphorical and vague.

While it can feel slow at times there are a lot of interesting things going on but I will admit, I didn’t get it. I understand what it was about overall, and it was very well performed, but I didn’t get it. It’s certainly a show that really makes you think about what’s going on. Or maybe it’s trying to confuse the audience and I’m not supposed to get it?

Either way, it not for everyone, but it’s at least worth looking into.

Arden Pruden

Shadow Spaces

Union Station Theatre Co.—RRC (enter on William)

The actors are stiff, and the lines are delivered almost tentatively. I understand that this is a drama, but it is almost over-dramatic and the romance between the two men is awkward.

While it seems like it’s supposed to be, it feels more as though the actors are unsure of themselves rather than the characters.

As a whole, the show has enormous potential in terms of both the script and the performances, but it felt as though the whole thing needed to be workshopped before it was presented.

Arden Pruden

Understudies: A New Musical

Floppy Fish Performance Co.—MTC Mainstage

The first thing I noticed about this show is that they’re mic’d, and unfortunately there was a lot of static from the mics. On occasion I could hear them whispering to each other backstage through the mics, which really took away from the performance.

The worst part, though, was that even with microphones, the band was louder than the singers, which made soloists really hard to hear, and group songs painfully loud.

It’s a shame because it seemed like there was probably decent action and jokes in the songs, but I couldn’t hear most of them.

The exposition was delivered dryly, and there were one or two strong actors, but overall it felt awkward and flowed poorly. The romance was forced, the action didn’t make any sense, it was hard to follow, and overall just wasn’t as funny as it was trying to be.

There is potential in the script, but it feels more like a first draft than a performance ready piece.

Arden Pruden

VERIKA

Black Heart Dance—Warehouse

This skillfully performed dance show is everything that a great contemporary dance show should be: modern and edgy with classic dance inspiration and a metaphor easily understood by the audience with room for their own interpretations and discovery.

The gritty pointe work and use of ropes for some aerial figures served the theme beautifully, while being athletically and aesthetically enjoyable. The choreographer’s pre-show introductions and lengthy projected credits (there is no physical program for the show) somewhat dampen the anticipation for this incredible performance, but it picks up quickly, and the introduction will be helpful for audience members unfamiliar with the genre to better appreciate and understand the dancers’ interpretations. Bravo, Black Heart Dance.

Ashley Kowalchuk.

The Cockwhisperer—A Love Story

Colette Kendall—MTC Up the Alley

Most of the jokes are funny but some are bust-out laughing worthy. While the majority of the show is dedicated to sexual humour, you’ll find some moments where you need to hold back tears—and not the laughing kind of tears.

Kendall is a great storyteller and her words will engage you throughout. She makes little use of the projector and flip-board, but when she does, brace for hysterics.

Ray Yuen

Taxidermy 2: Another Musical

Shwawawa Productions—MTYP Richardson Hall

As promised by the title, this musical is just as hilarious as the first, and the cast’s sense of the comedic timing is clearly extremely finely tuned. It’s a good late-night show, full of crude humour (some of which doesn’t make a lot of sense but somehow is funny anyway) and jokes that would probably offend most people.

The actors also have a remarkable ability to play off things that go wrong during the show, like one cutting his hand halfway through a scene. Amazingly, they made light of this, accepted a band-aid from an audience member, and pushed forward, even making reference to the incident in later scenes. Definitely a great show to end your day with.

Arden Pruden

Undress Me

Empty Sea Company—MTC Up the Alley

This gripping tale has you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The lowly character continues to sink through the story until he spirals into an abyss by the end, taking your heart with him.

Just when you think that the character, Julian, can’t sink any farther, he takes another nosedive. He continues to free-fall until he eventually hits rock bottom. Where does he go from there?

This has been one of the highlights of the Fringe for me. I highly recommend that you live through this tragic adventure.

Ray Yuen

The Stiltskin Trials

Weilgapatwa Productions—MTYP Richardson Hall

It’s apparent very quickly that this show is incredibly dark. Prepare yourselves for the worst. It doesn’t so much tug at your heartstrings as it does fill you with disgust and anger, and, perhaps even confusion.

The performances were solid, though they could be too quiet at times, and in certain instances, it dragged, but this can be excused, because as the show went on the energy seemed to pick up.

The actors clearly have a passion for the final scenes, and I’m not sure whether I should fear that or respect it. It’s a good-looking show, with clean changes, and clean performances, but certainly not one to take the kids to.

Arden Pruden