Hope in Hot Times
Reviewed by Bryan Boodhoo
The vibe of Hope in Hot Times is joyful.
Janice Jo Lee (director, producer, co-creator) and the company have created a collective theatre piece which is refreshingly entertaining for all ages. There were a number of young children in the audience who were very interested in the play, and at times, participated in the action from their seats.
The piece is a number of collective vignettes that are joyfully pieced together. I've never seen a funnier scene change before. The best skits, at least in my view, were based on nature. Michael Higginson, as a tree (no pun intended), stood out, as did the battle over cleaning up after one's dog (Sivert Das and Kendra Leigh Ward). The remainder of the collective (Chantal Bassous and Sue Carroll) are masterful actors and clowns in their own right.
Janice Jo Lee's direction of the show keeps it moving at a generally fast pace (but varied). The company also managed to stitch together a number of diverse pieces in a way that felt organic and meaningful.
It's refreshing to see something at Fringe that families can enjoy together. This show is a great entry into clowning, especially for youngsters, and adults will certainly relate to some of the scenes, like riding the Barton two bus. The show is very accessible, and it is hard to leave the theatre without a smile on your face.
Event Details
Kids Under 12: $5
Kids Under 2: FREE!
Age Suitability: All Ages (everyone - including young children and sensitive viewers)
Genre: Theatre—Comedy, Musical/Concert/Opera, Dance
Run Time: 60 mins
Venue: The Westdale
Director
Janice Jo Lee
Playwrights and Performers
Chantal Bassous, Sue Carroll, Sivert Das, Angelic Goldsky, Michael Higginson, Kendra Ward, Janice Jo Lee
Warnings
None