A Retrospection - WINNER Top of the Fringe 2023

This show is absolutely outstanding. Claire is a magnetic performer. Her stage presence is so powerful and commanding. She is so present that a pin could drop and she would incorporate it into the performance. It's incredible to watch. The show is absurdist, and challenging, and comes from a beautiful passion to create. This show is anything but frivolous. Claire is exposing herself, in the most uniquely Claire Woolner way possible. It's an inspiration. 10/10 would recommend.... full review

I was so inspired by this, I went home and immediately started beating out new solo show idea. It's a terrible and clichéd idea that I won't be doing BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT!!! That point is that this show was so inventive, hilarious, playful, risky, and truthful, that I left NEEDING to get to work!!! I haven't seen a show that inspired me this much since the first time I saw Courtney Pauroso's Gutterplum. ... full review

When I walked out of this show, I said to my friend, “It’s amazing how much confidence our damn insecurities have.” They are relentless, and they regenerate at will. The doubt. The fear. The accusations. The temptation to give in and give up.. The you’ve-embarrassed-yourself-agains.. Anyone who is an artist of any sort knows those daggers and deep scars. Who knows what art never existed because those such voices snuffed it at the very first imaginative whim. A Retrospection is the animation of an artist’s struggles to exist and persist within herself and without. Claire Woolner is the ultimate absurdist clown—clowning for us, and clowning for her own survival as she battles the abusive, self-critical mantra, voiced as condescending messages ... full review

Claire is a stunning performer. Engaging, funny, vulnerable. She cycles through emotions, plumbs the depths of what it means to be an artist, engages her audience, and makes it all look effortless. I'm so glad I got to see this! She's a marvel.... full review

Claire Woolner gives the audience everything and I'm here for it! Must see!... full review

Hilarious, powerful, and at times scary, Claire Woollner's A RETROSPECTION destroyed me. Her command of the stage and audience was effortless; I could sense she had the entire room wrapped around her finger. Her ability to switch from mood to mood and switch the tone of the show so nimbly is something to behold. It is very weird, it pushes boundaries, and will make you cry laughing. I could tell everything came from a very real place and that Claire put her entire heart into this, and it paid off.... full review

I assaulted this clown! I assaulted her with her own props at her own request! And we collectively cheered and laughed and fell deeply in love with Claire Woolner and her brilliant mind. ... full review

Wonderfully poetic.... full review

This show made me feel a range of emotions from the depths of sadness to pure joy. My face hurt at the end of this from all the laughing and genuine smiles. Honestly, I have always avoided anything to do with “clowning”. Now I know I just saw the wrong things. After seeing this show I have such an admiration and appreciation for this art form and seeing it channeled through this actress is a one of a kind must see experience. ... full review

Phenomenal!!!! A must see of the fringe!!... full review