Rovero and Juliet (The Manipulators) 2013 Toronto Fringe Review

Rovero and Juliet Toronto Fringe 2013This afternoon I saw Rovero and Juliet at the Palmerston Library. I had hoped to have a kid with me but he couldn’t come so I was there on my own. I was a bit concerned that it would seem weird, an adult at a kid’s show without a kid but I needn’t have worried. We made up about half the audience.

The show is a re-telling of the Shakespeare play but with puppets and a happy ending. In this play the feud is between the Muttagues and the Catulets, the nurse is a cow and the friar is a camel. All the characters find true love, so it’s a happy ending all round.

The puppets are like Muppets, they’re operated from below. Trish Leeper and Allan Martin are the puppeteers and Martin wrote the show. This is their first full-length production together. Let’s hope it isn’t their last.

I liked the set. At either side there were pillars. One had a dog on it and the other a cat – like gargoyles. The show opened with first the dog talking and then the cat. The puppet stage rotated to give three (or maybe four) backdrops.

The show was funny with lots of puns for the adults and ridiculous touches for the kids. The hour really sped by. The kids in the audience were quiet and attentive for the entire show, a really good sign.

Take a kid to see Rovero and Juliet. You’ll both be glad you did. It’s a delightful show. If you go on the weekend it’s a good idea to go and get your tickets when the box office opens an hour before the show. FringeKids shows are always busiest on the weekend.

Details:

  • Rovero and Juliet is playing at The Palmerston Library (560 Palmerston Ave)
  • Performance times are:
    July 05 06:00 PM
    July 06 11:00 AM
    July 07 02:15 PM
    July 09 11:00 AM
    July 10 04:15 PM
    July 12 11:15 AM
    July 13 07:45 PM
  • All individual Fringe tickets are $10 ($5 for FringeKids) at the door (cash only) and go on sale one hour before showtime. 50% of tickets are available in advance and are $11 ($9 + $2 service charge), these can be purchased online at www.fringetoronto.com, by phone at 416-966-1062 ext. 1, or in person during the festival at the Festival Box Office in the parking lot behind Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor St W).
  • Value packs are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows

Please note that there is absolutely no latecomer seating during the Toronto Fringe Festival.

Photo of the balcony scene by Karen Phillips-Curran