by Michelle Barker

Clown striptease: a new genre at the Toronto Fringe

Clowns just want to be loved.  Unfortunately for Fizzy Tiff, her nerves make it very difficult to have a successful date, relationship… or sex life.

Fizzy Tiff, a character created by Rachelle Fordyce, spends the show rehearsing a special date with a lucky member of the audience.  Her plan is to rehearse each step of the date, which she has meticulously planned in a script, in order to calm her nerves for the ‘real thing’.  This particular rehearsal includes sensual foods, rose petals, blindfolds, and yes, stripping.

I read in the warnings for the show that it would include ‘audience participation’ and, not being a lover of hopping onstage with performers, this was the only day that I considered having a broken foot good fortune.  However, my friend Ed ended up being chosen to join Fizzy as her practise date.  Ed’s a good sport.

The show is full of classic clown shenanigans.  While I’m sure Fizzy Tiff could have benefited from a larger audience, she got some big laughs.  I really appreciated the show’s serious and important message that Fizzy stumbles upon near the end of the piece.

For obvious reasons, this show is not for kids, but it’s would highly recommend it to adult Fringe-goers.

– unADULTeRATED me is playing at the Tarragon Extra Space (30 Bridgman Ave)
– Performance times
Mon, July 5 10:45 PM
Tue, July 6 5:15 PM
Thu, July 8 Noon
Fri, July 9 7:30 PM
Sat, July 10 1:45 PM
– All individual Fringe tickets are $10 ($5 for FringeKids) at the door (cash only),  Online at www.fringetoronto.com, by Phone at 416-966-1062, in person (June 30 – July 11 only) at The Randolph Centre for the Arts, 736 Bathurst Street (Advance tickets are $11 ($10+$1 convenience fee), and $5 for FringeKids (no convenience fee for kids tickets).
– Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows