Cleaner Than Blood

Alex Scott brings another fantastic show to Fringe this year. Cleaner Than Blood should be on everyone's must see list for this year's Festival! The simple but detailed set and dimmed lights set the mood immediately for what is going to unfold over the next hour. The actors are spot on in their roles and the dialogue keeps you on the edge of your seat for the full hour. Alex Scott does such an amazing job bringing this piece to life. This is a show that will keep you thinking afterwards! Make time in your schedule to see this one!... full review

"Cleaner Than Blood" seems to be the kind of play that is perfect for the Fringe Festival. Slightly on the edge and giving a new writer the opportunity to have a play in front of an audience. The play is inconsistent in its style, but I was particularly impressed with Austin Iredale who was given the opportunity to fully explode emotionally.... full review

Director/Producer Alex Scott is in love with drama. And so is the rest of this excellent crew. I liked Scott's 2012 Fringe offering, Nostalgium, and Jen Silverman's taught Cleaner than Blood is even better. This is a focused, well directed evening of creepy tension, dark humor, and good acting from Maggie Blake, Kjai Block, and especially the rangy and dangerous-looking Austin Iredale who totally inhabits his edgy character. From the music that precedes the play to the set and lighting, all enhance this satisfying evening of theater. I have a friend who goes to the theater alone and sees lots of Equity Waiver and Fringe plays. He says, "I like it live, and I like it up close." I told him he has got to see Cleaner than Blood.... full review

Several reviews have called this show a "psychological thriller." I wouldn't call it that. Instead, it was a wonderfully-acted, fast-paced mystery about love and injury.... full review

Strong performances, excellent use of sound and light, and superbly crafted script make for a highly enjoyable and gripping thriller. Jen Silverman is an extremely talented up-and-coming playwright and this piece demostrates exactly why. The play immediately creates intrigue and questions, and maintains that tension and mystery as each character's secrets are revealed and the stakes steadily increased. The play kept me engaged and curious throughout and delivered a rewarding payoff. Highly recommended.... full review

Definitely a must see. This is one of those projects where everything melded together in such an extraordinary way and made for some great theater. The storytelling by all three actors was intriguing and there was not a single beat missed. The writing and character development from the playwright is some of the best I have seen during his entire fringe season. The direction was superb and the designers nailed it on the head. ... full review

Cleaner than Blood is an interesting story. Three lost souls brought together by chance and opportunity, and each fueled by their own deep desire, converge the night before a wealthy man is scheduled to return home. The actors all give compelling performances, giving us glimpses of their inner demons and ultimately the reason for each of them to be present at this dark time. While I felt there were a few inconsistencies in the script- and spots that I would have preferred more information and explication- over all- the strong performances and direction made this an incredibly entertaining piece and well worth the time. I recommend it for anybody looking for a dramatic afternoon/evening of compelling theatre. ... full review

One mark of a good show is that you leave the theater discussing what you have just witnessed. This show had my husband and I talking long after the show was over. Without giving anything away, this is what I can tell you about "Cleaner Than Blood"... I found myself anxious in moments and intrigued throughout. Alex Scott makes great use of the space, creating the illusion of a much larger mansion. His choice of music and dramatic lighting helps set the tone for this well-directed dark play. The actors all turned in remarkable performances, but I especially enjoyed watching Kjai Block in the role of Jeffrey "the quiet one". This is NOT a "feel-good" show. If you are looking for a mindless laugh, look elsewhere. But if you are lookin... full review