Lockeye & Pond in Death Killing Machine by Lockeye & Pond is currently playing at the Annex Theatre for this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival. Lockeye and Pond are the spoofs or at least the ridiculous doppelgangers of characters in the classic Ian Fleming novels and the 007 movies. Pond is a hot-shot spy known for always saving the day. Lockeye is the evil villain whose plans are always foiled by Pond. And yes, he literally has a lock for an eye.
Pond is used to his perfect life of drinking, womanizing, and reckless adventure. The odds always seem in his favour, especially when encountering his arch-nemesis Lockeye. Unfortunately, Pond manages to accidentally destroy his reputation when he accidentally destroys the moon. Lockeye is equally ruined, since Pond stole his evil thunder. Both the hero and villain are banished from their communities. After a chance meeting, they decide they can’t seem to quit each other. If they can’t work against each other, they’ll have to work together.
Lockeye & Pond in Death Killing Machine is absolutely hilarious. It pokes fun at all the tropes of the James Bond world: nameless henchmen who can’t aim, villains who wait to kill the hero, cheesy puns after every attack, etc. Playwright Reid Brackenbury manages to pull comedy out of aspects that are typically cool in action movies, like the unwavering confidence of the hero or drinking martinis while on a mission. All of a sudden things that seem suave in the movies become ridiculous.
The show was incredibly entertaining. The jokes were constant and the chemistry between all the performers was obvious. The cast included Reid Brackenbury, Eric Miinch, Jessica Fitzpatrick, Marc Hallworth, Morgan George, and Evan Richardson.
I laughed the whole time. The late-night crowd was small, but the theatre echoed with shouts and cackles.
The only small issue I had was it ran a bit long, but it was good enough time that I didn’t mind too much. In the end, the writing was funny. The performers were funny. Even the castmember bios on the programs are funny.
I recommend you see this show. You don’t even have to stay up past your bedtime like I did. This comedy is relentlessly fun. After you watch it, spy movies will never be the same.
Details
- Lockeye & Pond in Death Killing Machine is playing until July 12th at the Annex Theatre (730 Bathurst Street).
- 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 peformance. 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.
- Warnings: Fog Machine, Gunshots, Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Mature Language
Remaining Showtimes:
July 04 at 08:45 PM
July 07 at 06:15 PM
July 09 at 05:15 PM
July 10 at 01:45 PM
July 11 at 09:15 PM
July 12 at 01:45 PM
Photo provided by the company