franny mccabe-bennet & meghan chalmers
There is a lot going on in XOXO: The Relationship Show, which plays through July 11th, 2015 as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival.
It seems as though Franny McCabe-Bennett and Meghan Chalmers are trying to write a “comedy cabaret” akin to the very popular musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, with witty songs and sketch-like scenes focused entirely on highlighting the absurdity of being a young woman in the second decade of the 21st Century. Unfortunately, XOXO currently lacks the structure and cohesiveness to make this concept come together.
There are a few strong scenes, especially a song about dick snapchats set to Britney Spears’ “Oops I Did It Again,” complete with energetic choreography and McCabe-Bennett is at her absolute best when she engages the audience genuinely and tells the story of her first kiss with Heather. Much of the rest is too forced and falls flat. As voices and craziness escalate it becomes unclear whether the premise here is to parody the concept of the “crazy 20 something girl” or to point out the humour and ridiculousness in experiences that are more universal for women and those who know them.
This show would absolutely benefit from having a director for guidance, and a dramaturg for clarity.
TWISI FRINGE RATING:
Two Juliets’ XOXO: The Relationship Show plays at Theatre Passe Muraille (Backspace), 16 Ryerson Avenue, at the following times:
show times
July 03 at 06:30 PM buy tickets
July 04 at 10:15 PM buy tickets
July 05 at 01:00 PM buy tickets
July 07 at 01:30 PM buy tickets
July 08 at 04:45 PM buy tickets
July 09 at 06:15 PM buy tickets
July 11 at 04:30 PM buy tickets
