A Cynic Tells Love Stories: heart and libido

A Cynic Tells Love Stories is a one-woman show that travels the twisted paths of the heart -- and the libido. In a series of interlinked monologues, Katherine Glover narrates experiences of falling in and out of love with both genders, navigating the perils of sex, and trying to stay heart-whole in the process. She is a gifted storyteller, and weaves together romantic imagery and deft comedy.  She describes true love in a Middle Eastern flower garden, heart break in Nicaragua, and a doomed marriage with a brilliant but mentally unstable lover.  

Other stories, in the more cynical vein, include the narrator's attempts to shield herself from hurt by always being the first to leave a relationship and her career on campus as a "safer sex slut." The key to a dangerous reputation, says Glover with typical wit, is "all in how discreet you manage not to be."  A Cynic Tells Love Stories is a tale of self discovery, and the ups and downs that Glover describes show a woman grappling with different identities in relation to her sexuality.

Though some stories conclude in a manner feels too pat, A Cynic Tells Love Stories is bold, even brave, in it's intimacy.  Glover's presentation of the material is deliberately low-key: she avoids costumes and employs simple blocking in support of a detailed, text-heavy script. This understated style can be enjoyed as a change of pace from more elaborate stagings in the Fringe. Although this does deprive the audience of visual stimulation, it also allows the strength of her words and imagery to shine through. The overall effect is to create a closeness between the performer and the audience that comes to witness this clever confessional.

Cynic Tells Love Stories is playing now as part of the Vancouver Fringe. Go here for more information.