The Mistress’ Boyfriend is a provocative story of sex games, murder, deceit and mayhem in a dark melodramatic comedy playing at the Theatre Passe Muraille. A bible publisher (DeeJay Dayton) has an affair with an anarchist hooker (Amanda Petryschuk) while her ex-con boyfriend (Oliver Georgiou) is sleeping with the publisher’s thrill-seeking wife (Mandy May Cheetham). One uses the other while betraying someone else.
The story is told backwards starting with the tragic end before revealing the back story layer by layer, that exposes the dark nature of everyone involved making for a shocking hour of story-telling. The show takes place on the same bedroom set with the bed serving as the main catalyst for problems to unfold.
I took my friend Giancarlo with me to the show and as we convened at Starbucks to decipher what to take away from the show; we find ourselves troubled. We both agreed that the most intriguing part of the show was the backwards story telling that proves most effective.
The performance itself was commendable but we weren’t entirely impressed. The show, taking place in the deep south, placed a focus on southern accents. As the cast focused on maintaining accents, it deterred from the acting. This show demanded a high level of anger and rage to be portrayed from the cast and I felt like it wasn’t delivered to its fullest potential. Although kudos to Oliver Georgiou for a stand out honest and emotional performance.
The Mistress’s Boyfriend is listed as a comedy but it didn’t feel like it fit. The laughs though somewhat present weren’t carried through the show with moments (the threatened strip tease and the shots in the beginning) that felt more awkward than traumatic.
With a few key bits of retooling, the show has the potential to be sensational. As it stands now, the delivery leaves a bit to be desired. Though the story does hold merit and deserves to be enjoyed as part of your Fringe experience.
The Mistress’ Boyfriend is directed by Alan Bee, written by Deejay Dayton and produced by Quondam Dreams.
Details
– The Mistress’ Boyfriend is playing at the Theatre Passe Muraille (16 Ryerson Ave. at Queen and Bathurst) on July 7 at 7:45 pm, July 8 at 8:15 pm, July 10 at 1 pm, July 11 at 2:15 pm, July 12 at 6:45 pm, July 13 at 4:45 pm, July 15 at 1:45, and July 16 at 9:45 pm.
– Individual Fringe tickets are available at the door for $10 ($5 for FringeKids), cash only.
– Late comers will not be permitted.
– Tickets are also available online at fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 or in person at The Randolph Centre for the Arts (736 Bathurst St). Advance tickets are $11 – $10 + $1 convenience fee.
– Money saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows.