Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

The Devil Next Door

Written by: Rascals Ink

Presented by: Crosseyed Rascals / Winnipeg

$content.venue

Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/17/2010 10:09 PM | Comments: 0

What if Satan struck a bet with Jesus that he could survive as a human in an ordinary Winnipeg neighbourhood, and not employ any of his evil powers?

The local Christian troupe Crosseyed Rascals — usually seen doing clean improv — has used that premise to collectively create a five-person scripted comedy that generates some amusing sympathy for the devil. Tim Webster has hammy fun as the glowering Beelzebub, who gets a job as a telemarketer and thinks a “housewarming” means torching a neighbour’s place. Felicia Perron is appealing as the sunny-natured Mennonite next door, Lucy Fehr (get it?), who’s been raised to love her neighbour. Scott Plett injects great manic energy as a devilishy bratty little boy.

The show has cheap production values — J.C.’s wig is a sin — and a community-theatre flavour with often-slack pacing. A running gag about Satan comprehending Star Wars is cute, but the show is thin on big laughs, feels long at an hour and has a fizzle-out ending.

— Alison Mayes

From the official Fringe Festival program:

"Wanna bet?" has never been such a dangerous statement.

Making a wager with Jesus, the Devil is flung headfirst into life as a human. The catch? He's gotta live by the Big Guy's rules.

It seems simple enough ... until angelic Lucy Fehr knocks on his door.

So who’s the devil now?

A devilish new play from Winnipeg’s clean edge of comedy.

www.crosseyed.ca

RECOMMENDED: General Audience

60 min

Rachel Browne Theatre (Venue 8), to Sunday

Tickets: $9
Discount Tickets: $7 for Students, Seniors, Kids (12 & under)

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Fringe Show Reviews

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.