3.5 stars
Stage 34, SugarSwing Dance Club
There’s no point going over the plot of Peter Jackson’s violent, monstered-up CGI adaptation of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. You’ve either seen it, in which case this unstoppable performance will endear itself to you, or you haven’t, to which actor Charles Ross has this to say: “I have no idea what you’re getting out of this. Welcome to utter confusion.”
Riffing off someone else’s work and luring in the nerds is certainly an easy way to sell tickets — give the audience what they want, I suppose. But such critiques drop dead under the blistering callisthenics of Ross as he inhabits dozens of characters — from Frodo to the Balrog to Gollum to mighty Galadriel — leaping and writhing all over like a frying-pan caterpillar in what has to be the hottest stage on the Fringe grounds. Seriously, the SugarSwing Dance Club is a total menace, though having bought two air conditioners, Ross promised to buy another couple after entirely drenching himself in his brown jumpsuit. It’s the first time I’ve ever been spray-bottled at a Fringe play without trying to steal food off the table.
Just don’t let your phone go off or take any pictures — you can literally ruin the show.
Converting, what, nine hours of Hollywood action into a one-hour play gets a little muddled sometimes — I’m pretty into this epic junk and got lost a few times — but the nostalgia and occasional jokes keep it fresh and certainly remind us that the third film was a convoluted mess. Dropping the odd Star Wars and “Mr. Anderson” Matrix reference doesn’t hurt, either, though asking if Hobbits are gay is a tad juvvie.
They’re just merry, Ross. Merry little singing hand-holders who embrace a lot and sigh when they’re tired.
Fish Griwkowsky
Venue:
One Man Charles Ross
Master-Impressionist Charles Ross takes you from the Shire to Mordor and back in one hour. A thousand perils, nine companions, and three masterworks. One Man to do it all. One Man to rule them all.
“Lord, we have a winner!” – [Five Stars] – Edmonton Sun
[Five Stars] – CBC Edmonton
75 Minutes
