What I liked
Big, over-the-top characters doing outrageous things in the name of self-preservation. It’s broad and perhaps not for the squeamish. If gross-out comedy is your thing, give this a whirl. It works best when it remains fast-paced and goofy.
What I didn't like
A minor observation – the small stage worked against the cast. These are big characters and I wished they had more room to physically move around.
My overall impression
The closest thing to a gross-out comedy I have seen at Fringe this year, The Midnight Menagerie features a strong cast tackling some pretty over-the-top characters. Starting with the premise of a “mobster” turned screenwriter feeling slighted by the Hollywood studio system – and specifically everyone he feels ruined a screenplay he had poured his heart and soul into – what is a such a man to do?
Take revenge, of course! The revenge plot is where the show starts to embrace a farce vibe and that is where the show works best.
