Philip Cairns
Old-ish, written and performed by Susan Freedman and directed by her son, Alan Silverman, is currently playing at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Freedman plays herself, telling stories about her childhood but, mostly, about getting old (she’s 77) and the health problems that come with old age. She has a near-death experience in a hospital that changes her attitude about life, for instance. A hole in her heart has to be repaired. She twists her ankle and has to cancel a trip etc., etc.
The small backspace was packed with people over the age of 60 for the afternoon show. Everyone had a smile on their face as they filed out. The young couple beside me left before the show was over. (Since he was man-spreading, I was glad when they departed.) Freedman is a good storyteller. I just didn’t find most of the stories to be all that interesting, despite the fact that I am old myself.
Silverman does an okay job of directing. Freedman walks stage right, stops, talks, then walks to centre stage. Then she walks stage left, stops, talks, then returns to centre stage. Pretty pedestrian. However, I have to say, it was great to see an older person doing a solo show. I give her an "A" for effort. I just wish she would have embellished the stories a little bit, just to jazz up the proceedings. It was kind of like eating a cheese sandwich. It tastes good but nothing special.
Freedman has been writing and performing Fringe shows since 1999. The show was amusing but not hilarious. It was like having tea with a talkative aunt. She’s nice, pleasant and sweet but you keep looking at your watch, trying to find a way to leave and meet up with your more exciting friends.
Tickets and info for all Toronto Fringe shows can be found at fringetoronto.com
Old-ish, written and performed by Susan Freedman and directed by her son, Alan Silverman, is currently playing at the Toronto Fringe Festival. Freedman plays herself, telling stories about her childhood but, mostly, about getting old (she’s 77) and the health problems that come with old age. She has a near-death experience in a hospital that changes her attitude about life, for instance. A hole in her heart has to be repaired. She twists her ankle and has to cancel a trip etc., etc.
The small backspace was packed with people over the age of 60 for the afternoon show. Everyone had a smile on their face as they filed out. The young couple beside me left before the show was over. (Since he was man-spreading, I was glad when they departed.) Freedman is a good storyteller. I just didn’t find most of the stories to be all that interesting, despite the fact that I am old myself.
Silverman does an okay job of directing. Freedman walks stage right, stops, talks, then walks to centre stage. Then she walks stage left, stops, talks, then returns to centre stage. Pretty pedestrian. However, I have to say, it was great to see an older person doing a solo show. I give her an "A" for effort. I just wish she would have embellished the stories a little bit, just to jazz up the proceedings. It was kind of like eating a cheese sandwich. It tastes good but nothing special.
Freedman has been writing and performing Fringe shows since 1999. The show was amusing but not hilarious. It was like having tea with a talkative aunt. She’s nice, pleasant and sweet but you keep looking at your watch, trying to find a way to leave and meet up with your more exciting friends.
Tickets and info for all Toronto Fringe shows can be found at fringetoronto.com
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