Onwards! presented by Big Empty Barn Productions from Montreal Canada starred Bremner Fletcher Duthie who sang and played instruments while telling stories. Around the stage were a series of lamps which could be activated with foot switches. Each of his variety acts would require different lighting which he initiated with taps of his toes.
Bremner was tires of auditions. Auditions require an actor to want to fill the role of what someone else requires of them. He reenacted an audition of some insipid ad campaign to comedic effect. At first he delivered the line fairly straight. Then when asked to show more enthusiasm he overacted the line with operatic bravado. It was hilarious but at the audition he was told to get off the stage.
Fringe helped him realize that he didn’t need to wait for someone else to offer a role that might not fit his personality, but instead he could perform for himself. In a world that increasingly relies on robotic messaging it is more important than ever to remain human and chart your own course. The show had the flavor of an old time vaudeville act.
I couldn’t find any one theme that tied together all the acts but it seemed like Bremner was having wild sweaty fun, so I gladly went along for the ride.
Remaining show times for Onwards! Big Empty Barn Productions Montreal Canada. Yellow Venue in the Shakes. Rated 18 and up. Tickets are $15. Be sure to get a Fringe button for entry.
Saturday May 23, 8:30pm
Sunday May 24, 7:35pm