I don’t know if I can write this next review, because I might have broken a rib laughing so hard at The Premiere.
This show is simply delightful. Like, “your goldfish could have just died, and you would still walk out of this show giggling” delightful. It’s clowning and physical theatre at its best.
The story itself is fairly simple: three men get together to put on a show. They attempt to do a little singing, a little dancing, and a few magic tricks for the audience. I say “attempt,” because nothing really goes the way they plan. The Premiere is a clown show, so we spend 60 minutes watching the characters bumble through everything they do.
The three performers are Philippe Thibaudeau, Guillaume Paquet and Maxime-Lee Larose. They each bring a unique character to the show: Thibaudeau is the little guy who tries to maintain some control in the chaos, Paquet is the cool guy who’s very concerned about his hair, and Larose is the big adorable dummy.
Their sense of physicality is amazing. With all that they do – the fake punches and the pratfalls – it would be easy for someone to get hurt or for the timing just to seem off, but this doesn’t happen in The Premiere. It’s a weird thing: if you were to watch three bad performers put on a show, you’d be bored out of your mind. But if you watch three good performers playing bad performers, it becomes hysterical and entertaining. It actually takes a lot of talent to look untalented.
Warning: there is audience participation in this show. Audience participation makes me squirm, but I managed to emerge unscathed.
Details:
The Premiere is playing at St. Vladimir’s Theatre, 620 Spadina Avenue, Toronto.
Showtime: 60 min.
Wed, July 13 4:15 PM 741
Thu, July 14 9:15 PM 751
Fri, July 15 6:15 PM 756
Sun, July 17 1:00 PM 767
– Individual Fringe tickets are available at the door for $10 ($5 for FringeKids), cash only.
– Latecomers will not be permitted.
– Tickets are also available online at fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 or in person at The Fringe Tent (behind Honest Ed’s). Advance tickets are $11 – $10 + $1 convenience fee.
– Money saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows.
Photo: (L to R) Maxime-Lee Larose, Philippe Thibaudeau and Guillaume Paquet