Today's Citizen
Medea is not for the squeamish
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Saturday, June 16, 2007Medea is about the closest the ancient Greeks, in their blood-soaked tragedies, came towards expressing a feminist viewpoint.
In the play by Euripides, Medea is a woman whose husband has abandoned her for a young princess. The vengeful, jealous Medea goes as mad as only a Greek tragedian can, killing her rival and her two sons as well.
This is definitely not for the squeamish.
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Written by Euripides, Medea is the story of a woman who seeks revenge when her husband abandons her. Director Janet Irwin's production features the wonderfully villainous Anne Lefebvre in the lead role.
John Tanguay, The Ottawa Citizen
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This production of Medea is polished, although at times a touch campy, but generally far superior to the usual fare one gets at fringe festivals. It is one part plaintiff musical, one part feminist rant and many parts great theatre.
Veteran director Janet Irwin has assembled a superb cast, including the wonderfully villainous Annie Lefebvre, as Medea, and crafted a production that soars beyond the over-wrought plot and dialogue.
Medea continues at Arts Court Theatre until Saturday.
-- Paul Gessell
Nothing Personal
Wrong place, wrong time, bad consequences.
Phil Agnew (Brian Stewart) is an Irish middle class guy fed up with his sheer ordinariness. Desperate to earn a little cachet with his bar buddies, he is inadvertently made an enemy of the wrong side in Ireland's ancient political battle. Now he's face to face with a smirking, menacing electrician, Pat (Ray Besharah), and his knowing companion Betty (Annette Huton), both from that wrong side.
Phil's future does not look promising.
Hugh Leonard's play is a revealing study in self-deception, class warfare and the terror that for years coloured Irish political struggles, and this is a decent if not inspired production that suffers from dips in tension and some unconvincing exchanges. Besharah, all verbal insinuation and lithe body language, is memorable.
Nothing Personal continues at BYOV 2 - Cafe Alt until next Saturday.
-- Patrick Langston
Kurt Fitzpatrick is the kind of comedian who grows on you, so don't be disappointed if you don't laugh during the first few minutes of his one-hour, one-man show.
Believe me, after you have heard the story about the "stolen eye" and the delightfully disgusting anecdote about the jelly doughnuts, you will be ready to roll in the aisles.
Fitzpatrick morphs his body, his mannerisms and his voice into dozens of characters, all performed on a stage bare except for one chair.
But that chair is handy, especially for a naughty position best not tried at home with your loved one.
Rebel Without a Niche is the story of a man in New York, not unlike Fitzpatrick, who tries a number of poorly-paid, dead-end jobs and lives to tell the tale. It all adds up to some good belly laughs and a unique take on contemporary society.
Rebel Without a Niche continues at Arts Court Library until next Saturday.
-- Paul Gessell
The Ottawa Fringe Festival continues to June 24. For tickets and showtimes, check out ottawafringe.com.
