What I liked
The show is messy in the best way – Maddy keeps finding new things about the premise that delight her. It’s a highly participatory show, and you could see the audience start to play along and add to the nonsensical vibe of shared discovery.
The audience was INVESTED in every new doll entering the court, and Maddy built up suspense by having each new doll emerge from behind the set, usually legs first.
The live foley also added to the silliness, sometimes in ways Maddy expected and sometimes in ways that made her scramble to adjust. We were all finding it together, which was very cool – there was a lot of trust placed in the audience.
What I didn't like
Right now, only some people get to play a role in the trial. I have resting bitch face and never get picked at shows like this – but I wanted a doll real bad, and felt weird speaking up without a doll in my hand, like I was heckling. A little more of a clear role for the audience – are we the jury? Should we be cheering and booing at every dramatic turn in court? would mean everyone got to play a little more.
(But that means I want more of what’s already there!)
My overall impression
The world’s most excitable overgrown five year old has invented a new game: DOLL COURT (law and order sound effect) and you are invited to play with her. I mean this as a huge compliment – this would have been the funniest thing I’d ever seen in my life when I was 7 years old. My inner child was quoting the show and making fart noises the whole ride home.
