reviewed by Paula Citron
_____________________________
Lionheart written and performed by Diana Kolpak
Directed by John Turner
Chaotica written and performed by Christel Bartelse
Directed by Diana Kolpak (off stage voice)
At the Theatre Centre
___________________________
Two enterprising young women banded together to put on their solo shows for a short run. Both actors come from the world of clowning and physical theatre.
Diana Kolpak’s Lionheart uses the circus metaphor. Kolpak is a lion tamer, and her relationships with Dimitry the circus owner, Max the strongman, and her male lion Garbo give insight into women who live life on the edge. That she finds bliss only when her head is in the lion’s mouth is just one of the many disturbing facets of Kolpak’s script.
Christel Bartelse’s Chaotica uses humour as her medium. Chaotica is a board game where a desperate twenty/thirtysomething looks at future possibilities by opening boxes. She also has a “Just say no card” to curtail frightening future pathways. Audience participation was part of this very funny show that also carried a strong message.
And a final thought – It’s important to experience productions on the fringe because they speak directional volumes about new wave theatre.