Can’t Stand Sitting from Toronto Canada presented The S#it at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. The show opened with writer-star Matti McLean seated on a stool half naked. The stool was meant to stand in for a toilet. This hard edged solo show was a perfect fit for the venue of Ten10Brewing. It was a small venue for a cramped bathroom setting.
A passionate romance had turned sour leading not only to loss of passion but a deep resentment. The toilet was in a apartment with little to no privacy. This historic bowel movement was happening just feet from where his partner was seated.
Part comedy and part gut wrenching confession the audience was taken along for the ride as the honeymoon period flickered out between the seated protagonist and his partner in the next room. Although they were pulling apart there was still comfort in being close to someone who knew every quirk of personality. How can you let go of someone when you are both so close? Were they better off apart or could the rift be healed? All of this existential though occurred while seated on the royal porcelain throne.
I always root for the underdog and hope that love with find a way. But sometimes even when the love is still there, the passion flickers out as people move apart. Just like a long exhausting s#it there can be some relief and even bliss when it is all over and the bowl is flushed.
The explicit nudity in the show reinforced that we are all exposed when we are deep in a relationship. Sensuality isn’t always pretty but being truly understood and accepted is so rare that it is hard to let go once it is found.