This unpretentious piece of whimsy by Headlight Theatre is strong on charm and light on angst as it spins the story of Chance (Jason Allen), an office drone stuck in a dead-end job thanks to his roommate, Kismet (Tarah Consoli), an invisible demon who crushes his dreams, fills him with self-doubt and sticks annoying songs like Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows into his head.But Kismet's grip is threatened when Chance begins dating Mary (Stefania Indelicato), an aspiring actor who brings previously forbidden values such as hope, ambition and confidence into her boyfriend's life. Kismet responds like a cat being flushed down a toilet.
With dialogue and situations cut from classic 1940s fantasy films such as Here Comes Mr. Jordan and It's a Wonderful Life, Taking Chance is a joy to watch thanks to the irresistible chemistry of its cast and the deft comic touches by director and author Caralin Ruth.
It's one of those rare shows that puts you in such a good mood that you want to buy another ticket and see it again, just to prolong the feeling.
Allen and Indelicato play nicely off each other, particularly in the obligatory I-can-see-invisible-people-but-you-can't sequence.
But the standout is Consoli, who is just aces as Kismet, the demon whose heart really isn't in her work.
With her gremlin green jumper and impish Woody Woodpecker voice, you know Chance isn't going to be the only one redeemed by the final scene.
It's a beguiling show with a sweetness that's rare at the Fringe. Audiences are urged to take a chance on this hidden gem at the Spriet Theatre.
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2005 LONDON FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL
What: Annual theatre showcase featuring performances by 41 stage companies
When: Till Sunday
Where: Museum London, 421 Ridout St. N.; Spriet Family Theatre, Covent Garden Market, 130 King St.; the Arts Project, 203 Dundas St.; Wolf Performance Hall and Rotary Reading Garden, London Central Library, 251 Dundas St.; McManus Studio, Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St.; and Covent Garden Market Square
Tickets: Single tickets (maximum $8), cash only at each venue; FringeBinge Pass,10 shows for one person, $65; BuddyPass, five shows for two people, $68; five-ticket students/seniors pass, $35; Passes sold only at festival headquarters, 210 Dundas St.; all sales require one-time purchase of Fringe BackerButton (adults $3; children 12 and under $1)
VisualFringe 2005: Works by 30 artists, noon to 10 p.m. daily, at the Arts Project
Poetry Slam Final: 10 p.m. today at Club Fringe in Rockwater's, Galleria London; free
Information: Fringe Hotline, 519-434-0606; website www.londonfringe.ca, linked below.
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FRINGE FEST SCHEDULE
Today
Spriet Family Theatre: 3:30 p.m., Light of India; 5 p.m., Boulevard; 6:30 p.m., One Frigid Shiny Knight; 8:30 p.m., 3 Legged Horse; 10 p.m., Jekyll and Hyde
The Arts Project: 4 p.m., Damnee Manon; 5:30 p.m., Small Town Stripper; 6:30 p.m., Trevor Thompson; 8 p.m., My Purse Will Come; 9 p.m., Father's Barn; 10:30 p.m., Original Sins
Wolf Performance Hall: 4 p.m., Heal Thyself; 6 p.m., Forbidden Fruits; 7:30 p.m., Red Brassiere; 9:30 p.m., Tom Quixote; 10:30 p.m., Joemosomo
McManus Studio, Grand Theatre: 4:15 p.m., No Bananas; 5:45 p.m., Broadway Broads; 7 p.m., Talk/About; 9 p.m., Cancer Sucks; 10:30 p.m., By a Thread
Rotary Reading Garden, London Public Library, Galleria London: 7 p.m., A Year With Frog and Toad
Market Square, Covent Garden Market: 7:30 p.m., Aerial Angels
