Summerworks Teaser

I definitely should have tried to post this sooner.  At any rate, I consider Summerworks, the even more experimental cousin of Fringe!  This year is of more interest to me than Summerworks has been for a few years.  I haven't been too interested since a couple of years before COVID hit, though I probably should have tried to see Bimbos in Space last summer.  Maybe if it comes around yet again...  (On that same note, I keep trying to score tickets to see Barbarella on the 23rd at The Revue.  I am half-tempted to rush it, as most people do get in, but I'd rather have some certainty before I go all the way out there...)

Anyway, I saw a staged reading of a play (or work in progress) called digitrans//analogirl.  I would say it had its moments but it tried too hard to be understanding and respectful of everyone's positions that there really wasn't much conflict, and of course live theatre thrives on conflict.  

I was definitely thinking about going to see Public Consumption, which has showings on Wed. and Thurs., but another production (presumably a bit more fleshed out) is going to happen at Factory this Nov., so I'll try to catch that. 

I was able to get tickets (for this Wed.) to see a site specific play called Le Concierge where you follow a school janitor on his rounds.  This could be pretty interesting or it might be extremely tedious (which is pretty much the nature of work).  This is sold out, so no point in going on and on about it.  (It's over on Lansdowne, so it will be another long bike ride after work tomorrow...)

But I am just back from a very odd play/theatrical experience called The Chains.  It really pushes that bounds of what is theatre at all.  You sit at tables (seating 4 or 6 people) in an assembly hall, taking a personality test.  The people at each table are encouraged to take turns reading out the questions, which are sort of in the shape of a story about young people gearing up to put on a performance of Antigone.  This lasts for 50 minutes.  Based on your responses, you are sorted into Team Antigone, Team Late-Antigone, Team Creon or the Chorus.  (I was tied and could have gone on Team Late-Antigone or with The Chorus and went with the Chorus, which was a good choice.)  And then collectively you put on a super abbreviated performance of Antigone.  So audience participation is turned up to 11 -- or even 15!  I don't think I've ever experienced anything quite like that.  Might be worth checking out if you are looking for something very different from just sitting back and letting a play wash over you.  It does appear there are still tickets for a few remaining shows this week. 

I hope soon (by this weekend) I finish up my post about the new season and what I am looking forward to seeing, as it is a very promising season, and I already have a lot of shows booked and in my calendar.  Ciao!