Sky Gilbert, Philip Cairns: Hamilton Fringe Festival
23 Jul 2019.  -

Photo of  Sky Gilbert by Sean Leber‎.

Toronto queer playwrights Sky Gilbert and Philip Cairnes are just two of the reasons Hamilton Fringe Festival should be on your summer bucket list. On until July 28, the festival provides incredible value by giving theatre lovers access to a massive spectrum of works designed to enlighten, entertain and provoke. Bungalow and Diamonds on Plastic are two such works whose subject matter appears innocuous, yet both quickly shift into a poignant political satire.

BUNGALOW

Playwright Sky Gilbert’s most recent work Bungalow showing at the Hamilton Fringe Festival is set in Steel Town but it could easily apply to most cities whose rapid growth leads to gentrification which ultimately pits those who have, against those who do not. We are introduced to two different sides of a semi-detached bungalow. Neighbours Lloyd and Kiefer who exemplify the divide between classes, Lloyd played by the outstanding Shaun McComb, attempts to befriend his wealthy neighbour Kiefer, played by Tim Walker who was completely convincing as the blind-to-his-own- privlege -hipster-coffeeshop owner. 

At first, it appears that Lloyd’s alcoholism is a cover-up for his chronic unemployment, abusive relationship and failing health, but this is quickly dismantled as Kiefer succumbs to moments of vulnerability which reveal his life as a cover-up for his own failing partnership. The relationship between the two characters develops through indifference, hostility, conflict and an almost realized double blowjob, but unlike traditional big theatre endings, Bungalow drives both characters further apart, a far more truthful and sobering interpretation of class and its impact on collective relationships. Put Bungalow on your fringe list, it’s a potent reminder that money can’t buy happiness, for long anyway.

Photo of Margaret Lamarre in Diamonds On Plastic by Philip Cairns‎.

DIAMONDS ON PLASTIC

Playwright Philip Cairns recent mounting of Diamonds on Plastic at the Hamilton Fringe Festival is a smart, witty and tightly written romp through the mind of Doris Nightshade, an older woman whose kept relationship one day forces her into the arms of her long-time female friend and confidant. As Doris, played by an impassioned Margaret Lamarre, lays out her vulnerabilities as she searches for her power, she gets swigs from a whiskey bottle, lamenting about her husband in front of her dressing room mirror. 

What starts as a fantasy in Doris’s head, blossoms into a questioning of her sexuality, ultimately pushing her to risk everything in the search for love but her biggest obstacle turns out to be her own biases about gender, sexuality and love. Margaret Lamarre’s performance is as captivating as her witnessing her transform a self-centred, slightly obnoxious character into a loveable survivor worthy of admiration. Doris’s struggle with money, love and sexuality feels honest, especially when you consider Diamonds on Plastic was originally written for a drag queen, so the choice to cast Margaret in the role underscores the relatability her feminist coming of age story that, while funny, is a potent reminder that money can’t buy love, for long anyway. 

A highlight of the show was the original music by Laurie Ditchburn that bookended the performance. A genius mix of nostalgia, history, longing and living all wrapped into a song that could have easily been a billboard hit from yesteryear. While the story itself is sad, the writing wraps her dilemma in a blanket of camp, reminiscent of Arnold Beckoff’s mother in Torch Song Trilogy, which is reason alone to see this show.