Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

ICY BLUE

Written by: Ruth Baines

Presented by: Ruthable Productions / Winnipeg

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Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/18/2010 9:48 PM | Comments: 0

“Icy blue” refers to the colour of Stephen Harper’s eyes. Isabelle, the character in this amateurish solo dance comedy, is madly in love with the Ken-doll-esque prime minister and sets out to stalk him so they can unite in romantic bliss.

It’s an awful feeling when you can smell boredom rising from a small audience in a cavernous theatre. Performer Ruth Baines needs the big, professional MTYP space to rig up the silks for her aerial dance routines, but it only makes her shortcomings as an actor and writer more glaring.

Baines (Running Out, Tangle) tries to satirize Harper, but manages only a couple of laughs, such as suggesting that he “prorogue” his marriage.

You have to admire her skill as she entwines herself in the stretchy silks for circus-style aerial tricks, but her work up there becomes repetitive and doesn’t have the effortless poise, quick transitions and excitement we’ve seen from professionals.

The integration of aerial displays into the laboured comedy is awkward. And Isabelle’s tale of infiltrating 24 Sussex isn’t far-out enough to be funny; it’s just annoyingly implausible.

— Alison Mayes

From the official Fringe Festival guide:

Is it love? Is it passion? Is it obsession? Is it stalking? Join Isabelle on her comedic aerial flight to find her bliss.

"I hear that airport security is better now, so what could go wrong?"

From the creator of "Running Out" (4 STARS), "Tangle" (5 STARS) and "SWF...obo" (4 STARS).

www.mcsquared.com/ruthable

Warnings: Subject Matter,
RECOMMENDED: General Audience

60 min

Tickets: $10

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