There is nothing I don’t like in the brief synopsis of Adventure!, produced by Your Good Friends, that’s posted on the Toronto Fringe website, but I have to say I was not expecting what I ended up seeing at the Factory Theatre Thursday night. What I saw, was better.
Tired and weary of domestic bliss, Sir Godfrey departs from his castle in search of excitement and knightly endeavours. With his trusty squire Osric, his journey brings him face to face with a slew of interesting characters, somewhat worthy foes and a monster that’s more than meets the eye.
Adventure! initially comes off as a typical parody of sword and sorcery tropes, but very quickly proves that’s it’s much more than that. Based also around the People’s Crusade of the 11th Century, it’s violent in the most delicious way and the actors, every one of them, look like they’re having a genuine good time. Andy Trithardt (Sir Godfrey) is ablaze with enormous energy – and not only because he is a rather tall man. The rotund attitude (and character) of Eleanor Hewlings (Boy and Godfrey’s wife), is a great match for the rambunctious knight.
Matthew Gorman’s script and directing are on pitch and the acting follows suite quite readily. I’d also like to point out the whimsical design from the props to the puppets used as the Boy and the tiger. Everything seems to have been thought through well and the extra details certainly show.
The show made me laugh, cringe a little bit and the ending, despite being both shocking and presumed, was better than anything I would have envisioned. I don’t think this show is necessarily for everyone, but if you like a little dark medievalness in your comedy you should definitely give this one a look-see.
Details:
Adventure! is playing at Factory Theatre Mainspace (125 Bathurst St.).
Performances:
July 06 03:30 PM
July 07 10:30 PM
July 09 03:00 PM
July 10 01:45 PM
July 11 07:30 PM
July 13 09:45 PM
Tickets:
- Individual Fringe tickets are available at the door for $10 ($5 for FringeKids), cash only. Late comers will not be permitted.
- Advance tickets are $11 ($9 + $2 service charge) are available online at 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