Fringe on the Streets
Project Fathering: Generations
Where to Lay My Head to Rest
The Hanging
Trash Bots
Paola Brown - The Town Crier of Hamilton
Reviewed by Jennifer Walton
Looking for an eclectic mix of thought-provoking performances? Check out Fringe on the Streets! Each stop will amuse, challenge, evoke and provoke. This was a Fringe highlight for sure!
Project Fathering: Generations
The year is 2056 and a father arrives from the future with the same concerns and worries parents face today, and have faced in the past. Fathering truly feels like a verb in this installation piece nestled within the Hamilton Market. This father addresses the audience while being interrupted by his baby’s crying. He must get back to where he is needed, but in a short time he packs a powerful punch by leaving us with stories and messages recorded by previous audiences and he invites us to do the same. The stories are beautiful, moving, and…. I didn’t cry… Okay, I did. It made me miss my dad and appreciate and acknowledge the complexities of fathering and being fathered.
Where to Lay My Head to Rest
Playwright and performer Sophie Bonifaz asks provocative questions about belonging in this life and in the next while beautifully clad in front of an altar containing the favorite foods and beverages as well as photos and memorabilia of her dearly departed. She is a citizen of the world and poses the question: are we from where we lay our head? What is citizenship in relation to identity, and where do we rest when we die? This is storytelling interspersed with short musical interludes. It is a beautifully evocative piece and a visual feast.
The Hanging
The Hanging has a big wow factor - it is visually compelling, with stilt walkers as Highrise Buildings and a pedantic Judge with a towering wig. They literally tower over the powerless tenants. We learn from the program notes that the story was built from real testimonies gathered from Hamilton rent strikes and Landlord Tenant Board hearings. The audience becomes a jury of sorts, encouraged to support the tenants in their fight for their homes, their neighbourhood and their community. Playwright Radha Menon who also plays a lawyer for the tenants makes a strong case for justice. With downtown Hamilton as the backdrop for this short play, we can’t help but connect the realities that many in our community face.
Trashbots
Two robots face their uncertain future and their relationship with the humans they are meant to serve and potentially save. One robot lives to serve humanity with a smile (assuming robots can do that) and the other is ready to take the humans out. The bots are cleverly created and the dialogue is snappy, surprising and well delivered. This is a humourous piece and yet remarkably prescient as we navigate our relationship with AI chatbots. Will the bots finish the humans off? Undetermined but not impossible. Be careful what you ask for.
Paola Brown- The Town Crier of Hamilton
The final stop on our tour drops us off at Fringe Boulevard, a kind of theatrical town square, which feels perfect. As the Town Crier, well played by Bernard Applewhaite, and beautifully costumed, delivers the headlines as an intersection between past and present. There are actors scattered throughout the crowd who challenge him. We learn about Hamilton’s history with slavery and a petition to save a man’s life. The Town Crier connects the slavery of the past with the world we live in now, challenging us to consider where the gadgets we carry and the clothes we wear are made.
We think we have come so far as a society, and as Canadians… but Paola Brown reminds us that no, actually, we have not. But all is not lost - we must engage in our community to make it a better and more equitable place for everyone. Powerfully written by Melissa Murray-Mutch, it was a great ending to our tour, leaving us with the opportunity to consider the future and what we would like it to look like.
I encourage you to continue your stroll along Fringe Boulevard and enjoy all that it has to offer!
Event Details:
Age Suitability: All Ages (everyone - including young children and sensitive viewers)
Warnings: None
Venue: Fringe On The Streets
Genre: Storytelling/Solo Show, Walking Tour/Promenade, Free Outdoor Events
Hop on or off this FREE programming anytime! Make sure to grab a HFTco Hamilton Fringe Festival program on your way out to keep track of where you left off. Click HERE for more information about the dates and times.
Project Fathering: Generations - Creator: Tom Boyd
Where to Lay My Head to Rest - Playwright & Performer - Sophie Bonifaz, Stage Manager - Rose Usenica, Guitarist - Thomas Duxbury, Ryan M. Sero
The Hanging - Playwright - Radha S Menon
Trash Bots - Writer/Performer- Liz Buchanan, Writer/Performer - Ryan M. Sero, Performer - Sarah Gazzola
Paola Brown - The Town Crier of Hamilton - Created by - Melissa Murray-Mutch, Cast - Bernard Applewhaite, John-Riley O’Handley, Jason Thompson, MJ Adolph
