Rebel Spirits
Reviewed by Betsy Dee
This vibe is hilarious slapstick that makes you forget everything else.
Justin Shaw and Devin Bateson, the duo de force behind Rebel Spirits, tell us that the show takes place in a fantasy village as local pub dwellers plot to overthrow the Castle.
As they describe it, "It's Cheers meets Lord Of The Rings." Like those two stories of class distinction, this frenetic two-hander takes on the timely subject of economic inequality with pure glee, and its comment on social injustices is driven home with the force of a Three Stooges episode.
Rebel Spirits has something for everyone, with its mashup of French clown, split-second farce, and healthy dose of vaudeville. Unapologetically taking every kind of license, the actors get laughs from the start (need to know what to do? Just wait for a sign).
From the protagonist to the barflies like the SunWatcher (who—yes, moonlights) and the
Witch, whose telling of a very famous Table story will make you laugh out loud, this show will keep you cheering for the little guy. The Wing Knight (yes, that's the spelling) soliloquy is worth the price of admission—and the Big Sloppy Phoenix Fest is pure FYRE.
Alternately and in unison, these creator/performers keep the audience in a constant state of whiplash with sight gags, role-swapping and sudden puppet appearances. The actors take turns at centre stage, then come together in unison—and together, they never fail to hold the audience. They're charming, lovable—and deliciously ridiculous.
Rebel Spirits is the kind of wild ride you'll want to take again.
Performance Details
Age Suitability: Parental Guidance (ages 13+)
Warnings: Coarse Language
Venue: Theatre Aquarius Studio
Genre: Theatre—Comedy
Writer/Performer
Devin Bateson
Writer/Performer
Justin Shaw
Stage Manager
Sofia Smith
