Serendipity is a big part of the Toronto Fringe for me. I decided to see Washed Up at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace because I was seeing something else there and it meant I wouldn’t have to travel between  venues. It turned out to be a very good decision.

Washed Up is a one woman play written and performed by Joanne Latimer. It’s a clever title. It can refer to that feeling we all have at some points in our lives that we’re pretty much done, haven’t really accomplished anything, and are washed up. On the other hand, in the play she’s literally washed up on an island and doesn’t know how she got there.

It’s basically an autobiographical monologue with  a set, some props, and really good sound effects. Latimer is a talented actor, and a talented writer. It was the autobiographical parts that I loved. They were the parts that made me laugh in recognition. And made me cry in recognition.

She talks about how wonderful she felt when she turned 40. She felt strong and powerful, she learned how to fix things: she was the go-to person when something wasn’t working. She loved being 40.

But her age now? not so much. She’s become invisible to some of her students and wonders when that happened. In my experience women tend to become invisible at 50.

Her memory isn’t what it used to be. I can relate to crappy memory. A friend told her that the upside of losing your memory is that you can hide your own Easter eggs. What a great line!

Washed Up really is a lovely show. Latimer is a natural story teller. She uses humour and pathos to draw a picture of a woman about to enter a new stage in her life.

She’s entering it with some good friends. Six of them were sitting in front of me wearing swim goggles and swimmy bands. You have to love someone who has friends like that.

Details:

• Washed Up is playing at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace (16 Ryerson Ave)
• Tickets are $12 in advance, $10 at the door.
• The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
• Tickets can be purchased online, by phone (416-966-1062), from the festival box office down Honest Ed’s Alley (581 Bloor West), or from the venue box office starting one hour before the performance. Venue sales are cash-only.
• Be advised that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and latecomers are never admitted. Set your watch to CBC time, and arrive a few minutes early to avoid disappointment.

Remaining Showtimes:
July 04 at 03:15 PM
July 05 at 04:30 PM
July 06 at 02:15 PM
July 08 at 10:00 PM
July 09 at 04:30 PM
July 10 at 08:45 PM
July 12 at 02:15 PM