Playing at the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival at the Al Green Theatre, All of Me by Theatre Insomnia is an interesting show for people with brain on the brain.
Writer Ashley Elliott offers us an inside look at a brain in action. Allison (Hilary Wirachowsky), whose brain we get to explore, must endure different thoughts and motivations from Left Brain (Jonas Trottier), Right Brain (Jennifer Busuttil), Anxiety (Kathryn Geerstsema) and Depression (Catt Filippov). These four competing voices don’t make life easy for Allison, who is stressed about her position at work and has an unreasonably tight deadline to meet. Feeling like a failure both at the office and in her love life, Allison is overwhelmed.
I enjoyed watching her racing thoughts come to life during her morning TTC commute thanks to Left Brain and Right Brain (am I being judged for taking up two seats? did I get any likes on my social media? should I check my work email?) Hats off to Trottier who does a fine job of being comically practical. With Busuttil, they dynamically banter back and forth, making poor Allison conflicted. This play for power also involves Anxiety and Depression (the latter of whom wants Allison to nap for several hours).
All of Me is a work that turns the brain inside out. It demonstrates the debilitating effects of Anxiety and Depression, the power of expression through art, and the need for support. It enhances our perspective on mental health in an authentic way.
Details
- All of Me plays at the Al Green Theatre. (750 Spadina Ave.)
- Tickets are $13, including a $2 service charge. The festival also offers a range of money-saving passes and discounts for serious Fringers.
- Tickets can be purchased online, by telephone (416-966-1062), from the Festival Box Office at Scadding Court (707 Dundas St. W.), and — if any remain — from the venue’s box office starting one hour before curtain.
- Content Warning: Mature language.
- This venue is barrier-free. Note that only certain building entrances are wheelchair-accessible. Accessible seating is in front of the front row.
- Be aware that Fringe performances always start exactly on time, and that latecomers are never admitted.
Performances
- Friday July 6th, 3:00 pm
- Saturday July 7th, 1:45 pm
- Sunday July 8th, 6:45 pm
- Tuesday July 10th, 10:45 pm
- Thursday July 12th, 4:00 pm
- Friday July 13th, 8:00 pm
- Saturday July 14th, 12:00 pm
Photo of Jennifer Busuttil and Jonas Trottier by Ashley Elliott