Countries Shaped Like Stars
So whimsical! So silly! I loved the performances, the gags, and the fairy tale vibe. Really energetic and charming acting from the two leads covered up moments that felt a bit slow or meandering. Lots of purple prose but not to the point of being grating if you’re buying into the whole thing, which I was.
The plot felt very nothing at all for the first 3/4, then all at once at the end. I have a really high tolerance for slice-of-life art and was enjoying just seeing these two lovely people interact, so I was actually kind of shocked that the plot came in that late! I wish it had either stayed the way it was going, or the plot had moved along a bit earlier so it didn't feel so rushed right at the end.
There were a lot of really charming and genuinely impressive moments of set design and prop work in here. I’m a simple man so I think I’m always gonna get got by water on stage, but also the little doll for stunts and the wiggly sound maker really delighted me!! I was a bit worried by the audience participation disclaimers on the ticket site because I came into this super jet lagged, but I think they struck a great balance and had a good amount, and nothing too high pressure. The actors were great at playing off awkward and lacklustre audience responses on the fly, which was unsurprising considering the kinds of comedic works I’ve seen them in before.
Overall I enjoyed the tone and thought this would be a slam dunk play for families. A lot of the jokes and exaggerated acting would play perfectly for kids while making the adult audience feel like kids.
The onion was diabolical though. I had to cover my eyes because I was so distressed on the actor's behalf. Someone get this person a Sterling Award just for that whew.
The world we live in is complicated. Turning on the news or logging into social media accounts can be upsetting, anxiety-inducing, and deeply isolating. Countries Shaped Like Stars, playing at the Backstage Theatre until February 28, not only provides a welcome reprieve from the chaos happening all around us, but also infuses warmth into the city’s recent cold snap.
If only for an hour, let Gwendolyn Magnificent (Dayna Lea Hoffmann) and Bartholomew Spectacular (Michael Watt) bring you into their enchanting world: a time when countries were shaped like stars, dragon fruit grew in abundance, and two individuals from two different peninsulas found each other and fell in love. In true Fringe fashion, simple innovations transform an otherwise empty theater into a fantastical world: a string of lights hanging from the ceiling becomes twinkling stars, and wooden boxes transform into a bustling marketplace and the site of a budding romance. But don’t let the simplicity fool you - this show accomplishes a lot with very little.
The heart of this production comes from human connection that transcends the fourth wall. The audience sits in a circle around the stage and plays an integral part in creating theatre magic. No longer passive observers, we are invited to act like tweeting birds and wriggling fish popsicles (if you know, you know), participate in tin can phone calls, sing along to Batholomew’s playful tunes, and enjoy cookies delivered by clouds. This multi-sensory experience is a powerful reminder of the importance of forming communal connections with friends and fellow theatre lovers - in this country, unbridled silliness is not only permitted, but strongly encouraged.
Whether you’re starving for a dose of humanity in a world divided or looking for an escape to a far-off land where copywriters gleefully recite poetry and play mandolins, Countries Shaped Like Stars is sure to deliver.