Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

This is Cancer

Written by: by Bruce Horak & Rebecca Northan

Presented by: PKF Productions, Vancouver, BC

$content.venue

Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/21/2011 9:22 PM | Comments: 0

PTE Mainstage (Venue 16), to July 23

The concept of Calgary actor Bruce Horak’s one-man show is brilliant. The loose-limbed performer plays the dreaded disease as a slick song-and-dance man (with an inexplicable British accent), his form made misshapen under a gold lamé jumpsuit.

Cancer thinks he’s a star — and why wouldn’t he? He has more Google hits than Jesus! — and Horak, who lost most of his eyesight to the disease, parades cockily around the stage like a Vegas showman. “Oooh, it burns,” he says with a wink as he downs an antioxidant-rich smoothie.

Horak is a perversely charming presence, even as he cleverly pokes at our fears and superstition (there were audible gasps when he read Terry Fox’s name from the list of people he’s claimed) but the show is uneven. There are deeply moving moments and belly laughs milked from a source that feels forbidden, but other bits feel like filler. However, the moment when a crowd member gets to literally beat Cancer is worth the price of admission.

The last 20 minutes of the 90-minute running time is given over to a Q&A.

— Jill Wilson

From the official Fringe Festival program:

Cancer -- a deluded, egotistical ass -- goes on his own journey of denial, anger, bargaining and acceptance when he discovers that the whole world hates him.

5 STARS "This is Cancer is as genius as it is absurd … allow this remarkable show to spread all over your body" – Edmonton Journal

5 STARS "One of the most brilliant shows the Fringe has ever seen" – Edmonton Sun

Recommended For: Mature Audience

Length: 90 min.

Tickets: $10

Warnings: Subject Matter, Language

http://www.pkfproductions.com

www.thisiscancer.com

Watch live streaming video from winnipegfreepress1 at livestream.com

History

Updated on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 2:12 PM CDT:
Adds review

Updated on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 9:22 PM CDT:
Adds video

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.