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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Fishbowl
Our Rating: 
In Fishbowl, Toronto writer/performer Mark Shyzer introduces a quartet of small fish in the big pond of life.
In his hour-long character comedy, Shyzer alternately portrays Esther, a precocious, gawky schoolgirl with a thing for her physics teacher; another teenage loner named Frances who would rather be called Ravyn; an old man close to death, looking for some meaningful last words; and a divorced barfly.
Shyzer easily delineates the foursome — Esther has a lisp, the geriatric a raspy voice. His writing is also razor-sharp, and he several times drops comic nuggets, as when Rayvn gripes about having to go to “a birthday party-slash-barbecue-slash-family-reunion-slash my wrists.”
Esther is easily the most compelling character; one wishes she got more stage time. Fishbowl is involving, although the way Shyzer brings the four together is not entirely satisfying. Somehow it is not as good as the sum of its parts.
-Kevin Prokosh
This review was based on a performance at the Toronto or Montreal Fringe Fest.
From the Fringe program:
Shockingly funny and equally moving, Fishbowl slyly reveals the connections between four wildly different – and outrageously hilarious – characters, all played by Mark Shyzer.
Premièred at Buddies in Bad Times to great acclaim (Toronto 2009). A festival favourite on tour and Audience Choice Award winner (New York 2010).
4 STARS – Toronto Sun
"Intelligent, extremely funny, thought-provoking and cleverly crafted, put this one at the top of your Fringe list" – Beat Magazine
Recommended For: Mature Audience
Length: 60 min
Tickets: $10
Discount Tickets: $8 for Matinees, Fringe performers
Warnings: Language
History
Updated on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 12:00 PM CDT:
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