Thursday, August 23, 2007

Blind Summit Theatre “Low Life”
“The Low Life Bar is a place for people and puppets – it’s not the place you go; it’s the place you end up.”
Four skilled artists share the stories of the bar’s patrons through the skillful use and manipulation of a variety of puppets. Using various styles (bunraku to tonka toys) they convey a wealth of emotion and humor. Favorite sketch was the murder mystery classic movie told with little blue men (cross between Playskool and Precious Moments characters). This company is very promising - for further consideration.

Gecko “The Arab & the Jew”
I really like the concept of this show – a non-political look at the turmoil in the Middle East . It’s more about the people than it is the issues. The execution of the concept, which uses a bit of puppetry, comedy, high flying and even boxing, is a bit more uneven. Like many of the Fringe events, the hour-long length could have been trimmed by at least five minutes and a meatier, edited 90 minute treatment might have provided a more significant statement, especially for a Midwest audience.

Hoipolloi Theatre “Floating”
This fantastical tale of the island that floated away is a multi-media presentation with the barest level of technology. Overhead projector, slide projectors and a humble collection of very homey props help tell this tale from the perspective of the innocent young native that tried to break away. Tearing down the fourth wall, this is an interactive presentation in the best pre-Power Point traditions. Though an engaging hour with two skilled performers, the island would have to float to the States to make it cost-effective enough to warrant a Midwest US presentation.

New International Encounter “End of Everything Ever”
This charming and moving story tells the story or Agata Rosenbaum, a young Berliner sent to England during the Kindertransport and the tale of the children lost, given away or hidden in attempts to save them from the Holocaust. Music and occasional humor ease the audience through the telling of a difficult story. Trimming and occasionally a little less over-acting would serve this otherwise strong production. On the heels of “Hana’s Suitcase,” this may be a perfect offering for the Edison or overkill – still deciding.