Duck Off: see it, love it, cry about it, and get wet in the process
When I received my random assignment of shows for this year's Fringe and I glanced down the list of titles, I had no idea that one of these shows would feature a clown, killer rubber ducks, an inflatable dinghy, and a pop-gun. If I had known, I may have attempted to trade the show with someone else on the Plank review team but I am glad I didn't. Duck Off, a production between the Fringe Onsite program and Kazoomco's Melissa Aston is so awesome that I think every other show in the entire Fringe should just forget being in the Pick Of The Fringe. The Fringe picks should all be five performances of Duck Off. The performance is only half an hour, so, you could do a few shows a night and make a fortune!
The story follows the adventures of a duck hunter who while hunting one day is attacked by one of those elusive duck pond sharks. She manages a close escape (with the help of the audience) and encounters some baby ducks. These ducks promptly look cute, get juggled, and, eventually, the hunter falls prey to the duck mommy. Sounds awesome, right? It is! This entire performance takes place in and out of a duck pond on Granville Island and it is one of the most unique shows I have seen in some time. The performer bounces in and out of the water without hesitation, interacts with the audience, and she is not afraid to get the audience wet. I got very wet as the clown continually hugged me... again and again. I think the clown was coming on to me, in fact. It would make for an interesting date, that is for sure. Or maybe I have a thing for clowns. But, this is a kids show, so, I will move on.
It was great to see something so incredibly raw at the Fringe. The thing I like about clowning is it is the very basis for all other performance. Clowning breaks down all personal barriers and makes us young again. It allows the audience to laugh at something so bizarre and outrageous that we forget we're adults. The audience I was with was made up entirely of adults and each had a moment where they laughed at something. I recall the faces were just plasterd with smiles. I love that about this show. We could just be. We lost our masks for just a bit to watch someone with a mask act silly and tell us a story that was fun and engaging.
So, should you see this show? You ducking better. Is it good for adults and kids? You ducking bet. If you hate clowning, you can just Duck Off. Don't make me come find you, you ducking duckers!