I got to see Robin Henderson Productions’ Dance Animal: Toronto, on stage at Tarragon Theatre, as part of The 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival.
Filled with hilarious Toronto-specific references – ranging from Mayor Ford, to exorbitant real estate and food prices, to the raccoon epidemic – Dance Animal: Toronto is a blast to watch.
Billed as “the world’s only comedy-dance-trible”, Dance Animal: Toronto starts high with an exuberant dance number which doubles as an introduction to the various animals in “the tribe”: Dance Gull, Dance Racoon, Dance Capybara, Dance Peacock, Dance Octopus, Dance Crab, and the leader who brought them all together, Dance Tiger.
Before the show even began, the music sucked me in immediately and remained awesome throughout. I’m not positive, but I believe the soundtrack was made up entirely of Toronto artists.
I enjoyed hearing old-school favourites like Snow, to more contemporary artists like The Weeknd, to the most badass raunchy feminist ever – Peaches. Seriously: there is an incredible strip tease that would make Furry twitter lose its collective mind.
While telling their individual tales of self-discovery and belonging, the dance animals keep the energy high and the laughs coming. This is a cheeky, sexy, funny show. The amazing choreography – fairly well-timed with each other, and very well-timed with the music – was a stand out to me.
I’ve never seen a show quite like Dance Animal: Toronto before. I might not recommend it for everyone: if you hate to laugh, would rather die than groove in your seat, can’t watch absolutely sexy dance performances, and loathe endearing jabs at Toronto culture, you may want to skip it. If you aren’t a humourless monster, Dance Animal: Toronto might be right for you. I would gladly watch it again!
Details
- Dance Animal: Toronto plays at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace. (30 Bridgman Ave)
- Tickets are $12 at the door and in advance, and can be bought online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Fringe Club at Honest Ed’s Alley, and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
- Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
- Content Warning: Mature Language.
- This venue is wheelchair-accessible.
Performances
- Wednesday June 29th, 07:00 pm
- Friday July 1st, 10:30 pm
- Sunday July 3rd, 05:15 pm
- Monday July 4th, 01:00 pm
- Thursday July 7th, 11:00 pm
- Friday July 8th, 09:30 pm
- Sunday July 10th, 12:00 pm
Photo of Dance Animal: Toronto cast provided by the company
Hey, Dance Shetland Pony here, I was also in the show. Whinny.
Ohhhh! In my rush to get my reviews in, I missed you! I felt like I was forgetting someone. So sorry Dance Shetland Pony. Your solo dance was amaaaaazing!
Absolutely loved every moment of this performance! The use of physical comedy was very well executed, i could watch this so many times!