What I liked
(A)PARTMENT 8
One thing I appreciated about (A)partment 8 is that it was indeed the fringiest of the Fringe. Annie Lesser takes the concept of the solo show to a fuller plane by joining a single performer with a single audience member.
Here we have a performance that cannot be judged “good” or “bad”, but only if it worked or didn’t for the individual audience member who experiences (A)partment 8, and within the construct of the piece to have a participant run screaming from the site could be judged as having worked. And I can see the work being disturbing for some and perplexing for others.
This type of radical effort, this pushing of the boundaries, is what the concept of a “Fringe” festival was intended to offer as an outlet, to encourage and cultivate theatre like (A)partment 8, The Truth, Love The Body Positive and The Creeps.
I cannot speak at length about this specific effort, because to speak of it would serve only to defuse the impact on those who undertake the experience. Also it is not a show that should engender discussion rather it is exceedingly intimate and personal.
Should you go?
Maybe.
If you’re “Twin Peaks” rather than “Happy Days”,
“Eraserhead” rather than “Forest Gump”,
Kafka rather than Barbara Pym,
Das Grauen rather than The Beach Boys, then you might be a candidate for (A)partment 8. I will say that Lesser and actress Keight Leighn provided me with a fascinating event that I
found thought provoking and unique. And what more can one ask from theatre.
For being what the Fringe should be more of: GOLD
For More Fringe Reviews Check Out The TVolution.com
What I didn't like
this box
My overall impression
(A)PARTMENT 8
One thing I appreciated about (A)partment 8 is that it was indeed the fringiest of the Fringe. Annie Lesser takes the concept of the solo show to a fuller plane by joining a single performer with a single audience member.
Here we have a performance that cannot be judged “good” or “bad”, but only if it worked or didn’t for the individual audience member who experiences (A)partment 8, and within the construct of the piece to have a participant run screaming from the site could be judged as having worked. And I can see the work being disturbing for some and perplexing for others.
This type of radical effort, this pushing of the boundaries, is what the concept of a “Fringe” festival was intended to offer as an outlet, to encourage and cultivate theatre like (A)partment 8, The Truth, Love The Body Positive and The Creeps.
I cannot speak at length about this specific effort, because to speak of it would serve only to defuse the impact on those who undertake the experience. Also it is not a show that should engender discussion rather it is exceedingly intimate and personal.
Should you go?
Maybe.
If you’re “Twin Peaks” rather than “Happy Days”,
“Eraserhead” rather than “Forest Gump”,
Kafka rather than Barbara Pym,
Das Grauen rather than The Beach Boys, then you might be a candidate for (A)partment 8. I will say that Lesser and actress Keight Leighn provided me with a fascinating event that I
found thought provoking and unique. And what more can one ask from theatre.
For being what the Fringe should be more of: GOLD
For More Fringe Reviews Check Out The TVolution.com
