You Know I Know by Fourth Gorgon Theatre, playing at Toronto Fringe Festival, is an intriguing collection of everyday secrets presented in a highly creative way.
I could relate to quite a few stories recounted by the performance, and wanted to find out more about how the creators/performers conceived and developed them. Here’s what I found out after speaking with the group:
1) Describe your show in 7 words or less.
A secret sacrificial ritual. You’re invited! Ssssshhhh…
2) What sets your show apart from other Fringe shows?
Two things! First, the audience is an inherent element of our show. We include them as high priests and priestesses. They are invited to silently witness the killing of our secrets.
The second thing that sets our show apart is the way in which it was created. When we started meeting in November to write the play, we didn’t even know what our show was going to be about. We wrote free writes and started to see patterns emerging, and from there began the evolution of our piece.
Then, with the help of Claire Burns as our “midwife” and Robynne Harder as our Stage Manager, we shaped the story as it is now.
3) What is the most interesting or surprising thing you have learned in the process of developing the show?
It was interesting to see how many permutations the story went through to get to what it is! We knew we wanted to explore secrets, but we really discovered what a big word “secret” is in the process of developing the performance.
Were we going to tell real secrets? Other people’s secrets? Secrets we made up? What exactly makes a secret? Plus, there was the question of the complexity of the secrets – for example, some secrets are a delight to keep, while others are coated in shame.
4) What events or experiences in particular inspired you to create this show?
All four of us went to school together, and worked on some pretty amazing devising projects there. That really excited all of us to try out creating a show together.
We were also motivated by our writings, and discovering each other’s voices and the unique style and viewpoint each of us had. We united our storytelling with the similar aesthetic concept we shared as an ensemble.
5) What are you hoping people will take away from your show?
The biggest thing we hope people will take away from the show is the power of a secret. Some of the things we share are simple and sweet, some are fresh, some are from the past, and some are quite heavy, especially when they are said out loud.
It would be great if people left the theatre feeling like they identified with some of the secrets, were surprised by others, and were left contemplating their own. We are all such complex individuals full of so many twists and turns. If our show leaves people thinking about their own secrets, and how ours resonated with them, that would be wonderful.
Details
- You Know I Know is playing until July 12 at the Tarragon Theatre Extraspace. (30 Bridgman 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.
- This performance is not accessible for non-English speakers.
- This production contains mature language.
Remaining Showtimes
- July 09 at 12:00 PM
- July 11 at 03:30 PM
- July 12 at 12:00 PM
Photo of Caitlin Fysh, Annie Tuma, Jocelyn Adema, Reanne Spitzer (clockwise from top left corner) by Photographer and Graphic Designer Kelsey Tuma