From the audience before Silver Stage @ Bloor Cinema (FringeTO)

Bloor Cinema.

Love this run down theatre; feels like a time warp. 1950s, with the lingering smell of popcorn that’s been around longer than I have.

I’m always edgy when I go to the theatre alone, even though I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve been a paid critic in the past, and even then it’s a rare day to get a pair of tickets. Media tickets usually come solo, and anyway, it’s hard to convince your friends to go to every show. Besides, I like going to shows alone. Except today. I don’t know — David Lynch? I’m not ready i’m not ready i’m not ready…

But, duty calls and so I sucked it up and made it here with enough time to find a stellar seat and flip through the press stuff that the lovely FringeTO staff handed me while I waited outside.

Writing about theatre has become more along the lines of a quirky hobby lately. I’m loving that. As a career path, you get stuck writing about things in a predictable way. Does anyone read reviews? I don’t. That’s irony for you. I don’t think they’re particularly useful – or at least, it’s not ‘me’.

I’m a raging culturalist and a rampant arts advocate. This is my outlet of choice. Simple.

So, I’m here, watching people stroll in and find a seat (people I’ve seen before in this ever-narrowing corner of TO). Mainly, I’m hoping that there’s not too much blood. Theatre works for me – there’s a necessary distance. Movies though? Ugh… my anxiety level sky rockets.

Try figuring that out.

A voice over loud speakers announces the actors. Time to stop writing.

Ooo, a live band.

Toronto Fringeventures: Red Bastard by Red Bastard (New York, NY)

You should go see this show.

The Show: Performing at St. Vlad’s (venue 1), Red Bastard is a one man bouffant show. Bouffant’s are like the twisted, deformed, sexually charged meeting point between a clown and a mime. The performer – Eric Davies – is on point! With costuming that creates massive deformities (rubber balls under a red onesie), Red Bastard had me riveted and slightly disturbed from the minute he stepped onto stage. I mean, c’mon; the guy hoarked onto the stage, smiled at us and called it his art. Not only is it a great time, but this show is dense — a lot to take in between Red Bastard’s near sexual harrassment, his amazing physicality, and his propensity to tap into some light, social upheavel.

If you like bouffant, this is bouffant done well. If you like the bizarre, do it up. If you like your theatre with a vaguely socialist undertone, that gets you at the core while you realize that it might just be impossible to physically stop laughing…. You should go see this show.

In a word: Injudicious.

FringeTO Notes: I love getting handbills from other performers but especially when they’re in costume.