I got to see Cam Baby by Mischief Theatre during the 2016 Toronto Fringe Festival at Factory Theatre.
This dark comedy is as hilarious as it is heartbreaking. Clara is a trying to navigate her relationship with her new boyfriend, Tim. At the same time roommate and landlord, Joseph, is secretly filming her with the help of his girlfriend, Natalie, and friend, Damien, for a live webcam feed.
Everything about this show gets an A+. I thought that writer Jessica Moss really hit it out of the park. From beginning to end, I was blown away.
The best way to describe how the show made me feel is that I was inspired. It was inspiring to see a show that was so well thought out and understood how complex people are. It’s great to see what theatre can do and the effect that it can have on its audience.
The dialogue was fast and never missed a beat or joke. It’s pop culture references weren’t tacky or dated. Moss clearly knew her audience.
Usually, when I find out that a play is about the internet or technology I’m a little hesitant to watch. I’m so used to shows where I am berated for being on Facebook that my eyes do an automatic eye roll. Cam Baby recognizes the good about the internet, as much as it does the bad. Clara and Tim are able to connect over funny memes they enjoy and Clara even admits that her interest in Tim started through Facebook. The virtual world has seeped into the real world and it’s okay to accept that.
The internet does have influence over the characters in the show, but it isn’t what dictates their behaviour. All the characters are dealing with anger, loneliness, or a lack of self-esteem which impacts how they treat people. The internet becomes a tool used to fix whatever turmoil they are going through, which can either have positive or negative outcomes.
An example of the negative is the character of Ezra, played by Beau Dixon. A man that rents a room in Joseph’s apartment after watching Clara online, in an attempt to woo her. Ezra is well intentioned even if he is a little bit terrifying. His actions clearly aren’t okay, but that doesn’t mean that he has ill intentions. Ezra’s inability to understand the boundaries between real and virtual life is a reflection of his desire for affection.
Even though Dixon was on stage for a short period of time, he does an amazing job of grabbing the audience’s attention. Ezra became more than just a creep on the internet, Dixon painted him as someone with so many complexities. He was as loving as he was dangerous.
In fact, all of the actors did an amazing job. The chemistry was strong as conversations flowed naturally. In all their hard work, they also seemed to be having fun with each other. Which was lovely to see.
Even now, I have only hit the surface what Cam Baby. It’s a complex show that I wouldn’t miss. See it for yourself – you won’t regret it.
Details
- Cam Baby plays at the Factory Theatre Mainspace. (125 Bathurst St)
- Tickets are $10 at the door, $12 in advance. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes for serious Fringers.
- Tickets can be purchased 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.
- Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
- Content Warnings: Mature Language, Sexual Content.
- This venue is wheelchair-accessible by use of an alternate route. Please arrive early and speak with the House Manager.
Performances
- Friday July 1st, 04:45 pm
- Saturday July 2nd, 07:00 pm
- Monday July 4th, 01:00 pm
- Wednesday July 6th, 11:00 pm
- Thursday July 7th, 07:00 pm
- Friday July 8th, 05:45 pm
- Sunday July 10th, 12:00 pm
Photo of Beau Dixon, Brandon Coffey, Christine Horne, Ashley Botting, Andrew Cameron, and Karl Ang by Dahlia Katz