Only two shows today.
Radical
Radical is a historical bio play looking at the Canadian
Oncologist Vera Peters, and particularly her leading role in introducing the
use of the lumpectomy procedure into the treatment of Stage 1 breast cancer.
The subject matter was very interesting, but the show itself lacking in
dramatic shape and tension. There also seem to have been liberties taken with
the flow of events as the show implied to me a death decades earlier than a
quick web search has drawn up.
Recommendation: Worth seeing for a bit of exposure to
Canadian Medical history. Otherwise, safe to pass on.
52-Pickup
52-Pickup, written by Fringe stalwart TJ Dawe in partnership
with Rita Bozi, is an experiment and an experience! 52 short scenes, windows
into the beginning, middle, and end of a relationship. But presented in a
random order each time. Not only that, but presented each night with one of
four possible casts, including two same-sex, and two opposite-sex pairings.
The performance I saw, the roles were performed Courtney Ch’ng
Lancaster (who is also one of the directors) and Kristen Zaza. They brought a
sweet sense of innocent and budding romance to the lighter moments of the show,
and the right darkness and hurt to the scenes depicting the relationships disintegration.
The show was an absolute delight! I would love to see it
again with another case and another order of shows, but I have the suspicion it
will be sold out soon.
Special recognition must be paid to the SM and technical
team, Justis Danto-Clancy and Sam Hale. I cannot imagine what the booth must be
like on a show where any one of 52 scenes could be coming up at a moment’s
notice. Yes, the light and music cues always came smoothly
.
Recommendation: Fantastic Fringe Moment. See if it you can.