Posted by Amy on July 21, 2006
Humans Anonymous has been selected as part of “The Best of the Fringe” — a holdover festival for the biggest hits and most critically acclaimed shows of the 2006 Toronto Fringe Festival.
There will be three additional performances at the Diesel Playhouse (56 Blue Jays Way): Sunday, July 23 at 7p.m, Wednesday, July 26 at 9p.m, and Thursday, July 27 at 7p.m. It’s a great play and worth checking out …
Amy
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Posted by Amy on July 10, 2006
Still (still!) reading The Accidental (Ali Smith), which I hope to finish shortly as I have two other books I’d like to start. I’m not sure why it’s taking so long to finish, but I’ve had to fight the urge to add it to my discarded without prejudice pile.
I was hoping to finish it last night but didn’t get home from The Fringe Festival until late. I tend to like the idea of The Fringe more than the actual plays, but Humans Anonymous by Kate Hewlett was wonderful. To be honest, I haven’t gone to see a play in ages – I’m not counting Wingfield’s Inferno as it was more like a CBC Radio 1 segment coming to life before my eyes than theatrical entertainment – but if you’re planning on seeing something at the Fringe, go to Humans Anonymous.
It’s funny, well-acted and the story weaves together five unique characters in 55 minutes. Humans Anonymous runs at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace (30 Bridgman Avenue) on Monday, July 9 (1 p.m.), Wednesday, July 12 (2:15 p.m.), Thursday, July 13 (11:30 p.m.), Friday, July 14 (noon), and Saturday, July 15 (6:15p.m.).
Anyway, back to the book: It’s actually quite frustrating as I enjoy the cadence of Smith’s writing and she weaves four strong characters together. It’s the pages and pages of free association that throw me … I’m sure there’s deep social meaning to each, but while I find them entertaining, and an interesting way of describing the fifth character, Amber, it feels heavy-handed. I will pick up another Smith book, and may try The Accidental again as I think my appreciation of it would change with a second reading … who knows …
And finally, thank you to Kate S. for her Toronto-area bookstore suggestions. I’ve started the running list and, where possible, linked to the stores’ website.
Amy
Posted in Ali Smith, Authors, Bookstores, Fiction, Theatre | 2 Comments »
