What I liked
The dialogue – always balancing between painfully funny and tragic – moved at a clip, which allowed us to accept the Absurd reality and get to the heart of the story: that abuse and the lasting effects of abuse are absurd, grotesque and yet ever-present. This was a wonderful quartet of actors, who understood the theatrical tradition they were in and kept us moving. I was reminded not only of Absurdist plays like RHINOCEROS, but also Lucy Thurber’s plays, which expose the realities of contemporary classism. I loved that Faith Saporito kept some of the house lights up: this felt important to the comedy and also, to the theatricality. Reminding us always that it was a play, and that Mandy was in a dinosaur costume, made the plunges into vulnerability possible.
What I didn't like
N/A – Off to Scotland with ya! :)
My overall impression
DINOSAURS is a true Absurdist play, with razor-sharp, quick-paced dialogue and heart-outta-the-chest vulnerability. Mandy Rubeli uses a theatrical symbol to great effect. The performances were unanimously powerful, with special mention paid to both Mandy and Hailey Hudson for their specificity and layered realities. This is absolutely a play that knows the lineage its in and a perfect example of how the limitations of a Fringe festival can help us get closer to theatrical truth. Bravi!
