>>REVIEW
LE GROS SPECTACLE
The Wind-up Dames
Alberta Theatre Projects
playRites Festival
Runs until March 5
Engineered Air Theatre
(Epcor Centre)
Even if the Canadian West hasn’t mythologically dug a way into the collective unconscious, memories of ‘50s dames, showbiz hucksters and girlie shows have. They’re elements that the Wind-up Dames (Renèe Amber and Brieanna Moench) know well, channelled into a terse, funny exploration of exposing image as currency.
Le Gros Spectacle begins in Alberta, at a time when (I surmise) women dressed like weather-beaten images on ancient detergent boxes, and men dressed with as much style as a train conductor. Moench plays Frances, who ditches her husband at the altar, helped along by her friend Alice (Amber). The two – both creating their own versions of the glamour girl (femme fatale and dizzy, blinking blond) – head off to Montreal, where they plan to transform themselves into an irresistible showbiz act.
This turns out to be quite the challenge after they are seduced by Frank Zotter’s proverbial (and, it may be real) wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing. Before they know it, they’re dodging an Irish mobster and a crusty, topless madame.
It’s refreshing to see the realities of anti-talent skewered so intelligently – particularly during a hilarious xylophone and guitar number, where the Dames offer an ode to the oft-considered horrors of spinsterhood. Later, in a carefully constructed scene, the two slowly de-evolve their hopes, ironies and conversation while playing the pick-up at a local bar.
Both Amber and Moench play off one another with comfortable skill, able to create funny, ridiculous cabaret-style acts without dwelling in the baroque, and articulating the humour and shame of the striptease. Likewise, Zotter does an amazing job playing, well, the rest of the roles – from sleazy but kind-hearted Louis, to the aforementioned thug, hooker and wolf.
Towards the end, there’s a darker turn in Frances and Alice’s realizations, which allows the dialogue to delve into more philosophizing issues that are confusing at first glance. It’s a testament to their skill that the momentum doesn’t get thrown off. While muddled, what better way – and not in any way is this meant cynically – to explore the artist, the traveller, the unwitting (or is that willing?) neophyte and their honest presence as an empty vessel?
All told, wacky, hilarious and maybe even profound. Great job, Dames. |
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