(Art)ist

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 3/7/2019 (478 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Twenty years ago, Vic (Steve Yurkiw) was the hit of the theatrical world with his play Blue Horizon, the story of Seb, a self-centered, violent man who continually abuses his clinging girlfriend, Linda. Now Steve is a weary writing professor, living mainly off his past glory, and yearning to write another play.

As he slumps at his laptop, Seb (Ryland Thiessen) appears, prodding Vic to licence more productions of the play so he can continue his vicious fun. Linda (Bailey Chin) also appears, begging Vic to do the opposite: the play has inspired numerous instances of copycat violence, and she wants Vic to halt productions before somebody else gets hurt.

The interplay between the players positively crackles. The acting is excellent and the characterizations never waver. Thiessen, in particular, is hypnotic as Seb, playing him as the snake he is in this 60-minute dramedy.

Equally noteworthy is how this production, unlike far too many others, tackles the prickly topic of gender-based violence without politicizing, pandering or simply sinking to bashing one side or the other. This is one of the best fringe has to offer this year.  

— Janice Sawka