The Biscuiteater

One of the first notes I wrote was, “This actor is not relaxed.” Two short pages later I wrote, “The characterization of the grandma is the best.” That second note marked the beginning of a theatrical seduction.

In The Biscuiteater, writer and solo performer Jim Loucks tells a story that’s loosely based on his grandaddy. In the script, Grandaddy is little Jimmy’s hero, but he also killed a man — brutally — when he was the chief of police in their small , southern-US town. The Biscuiteater is about masculinity, violence, and love.

American actors are sometimes overly enthusiastic to my Canadian eye and that’s how Loucks’s performance struck me in the opening passage, a perception magnified by the tininess of his venue, the Federation Gallery.

But then he became his grandma as a young woman and the evening transformed. Loucks’s choices were so instinctive. The characterization was so thorough, affectionate, and witty. From that point on, I was pretty much a goner.

The Biscuiteater jumps around in time — often abruptly — but, thanks to the actor’s precision, it’s always completely clear what time we’re in and which character is inhabiting his body.

Loucks sings beautifully. Jimmy’s daddy, who cheats on and rages at his mom, is a preacher: “Have You Been Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?”

The thematic accumulation is slow, rich — and generous.

This is one of the best shows at the Fringe.

(You can read all my reviews — including Fringe reviews — on my website, Fresh Sheet Reviews. Click the URL below.)

As a fellow southerner, I enjoyed the specificity of all the southernisms written intentionally into this story. Jim has a very natural presence and a great voice when singing or playing his multiple characters.

This was a phenomenal bit of storytelling delivered with Jim Loucks' entrancing southern accent. I was transfixed the entire time, and surprised with the depths the story ended up going to. Definitely worth seeing if you have the chance!

If you're in the mood to hear intriguing stories of a small-town boy's childhood in the American South, look no further than this solo play! The Biscuiteater is an endearing one-man show written by and starring the wickedly talented (and awarded) Jim Loucks, loosely retelling his close relationship with his Granddaddy. Director Lisa Chess' vision of a heart-to-heart between the audience and Loucks pours out clearly onto the stage as the star flows from one nail-biting tale to the next; keeping all his listeners on the edge of their seats.

As he recounts encounters with his police officer Granddaddy, you get a clear sense of the kind of impact he left on Jim. His beloved grandfather taught him how to be brave and strong, regardless of his fears. The title, "The Biscuiteater" is metaphoric in the show (yes unfortunately, no biscuits were munched on during the play!) as a dog who gets scared by loud noises and runs away without looking twice. Jim doesn't want to be a biscuiteater, but he knows deep down that he is regardless; and his Granddaddy never treated him any less for it.

From regret stories about gun-wielding and respecting life to carefree lessons on the porch to downright traumatic events, our lead brings full emotion to every scene in the show; regardless of its tone. His physical and descriptive storytelling vividly depicts the events while still holding the audience as mere listeners. One standout quality was Louck's ability to embody a character and their mannerisms without going overboard and losing the storytelling aspect of the play. It was obvious he was keeping his audience engaged and curious with every new scene.

In terms of technical elements, two stood out amongst the rest. The set, which consisted of boxes, a single chair, and painted backdrops was simple but effective for putting you into the mood and setting of the show (especially those backdrops, the yellow hues immediately gave a country feel). The blocking was very intentional, with each set piece being used to represent specific locations in Jim's tales. A great example of this was the usage of the chair to anchor Jim during the most heart-breaking and scary parts of the show. On that note, the other technical element that left a lasting impression were the purposeful lighting choices. Most of the time, the lights were warm yellows. But once Jim would transition into a darker story, the lights would switch into cooler tones of green and blue. The thought put into these kinds of decisions doesn't go unnoticed and only elevates these heavy moments.

Overall, The Biscuiteater surprised me with Jim's passionate performance and intentional blocking/technical choices. It is evidently a show with a large amount of care behind it, with it being such a personal story. All in all, it was a charming play about the complexities of family life in the American South, and how your role models can positively leave a mark on your development as a human.