Reviews to help you through the hit-or-miss loveliness that is the Calgary Fringe Festival

Third Time Lucky

Posted by Drew Anderson in Fast Forward Fringe Blog

Third Time Lucky

Club Paradiso

July 30, 2010

This one isn't for the faint of heart. Paul Hutcheson opens with a solid dose of vomit and shit, you know, just to warm you up.

This monologue on some of Hutcheson's experiences in life is hilarious, gross and sometimes touching. His work with troubled youth, his experience in an Australian old folks home (he wants someone to shave his pubes when he gets old), his relationships (or lack thereof) and his work as a teacher in Toronto all provide fodder for his act.

There are parts of the show where he allows the audience to choose the content. At one point he says he has 30 sex stories written down and asks someone to yell 'Stop' while he moves his finger up and down the page. Where he stops determines the story he will tell. It's a nice touch, ensuring the peformance will be different each night (unless he's making that part of it up).

If you've seen Hutcheson perform before, you'll recognize this show. It doesn't stray from his formula of real life tales (likely stretched), with some physical comedy, loads of sex talk, crowd interaction and moments of touching honesty.

All in all, this is just good goofy fun and perfectly suits the gaudy, queer interior of Club Paradiso. Definitely worth checking out.


more in Theatre     |     posted Jul 31st, 2010 at 11:22am     


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