Fucking Stephen Harper: engaging the brain not the soul

Fucking Stephen Harper is the tale of a journalist’s obsession for holding Stephen Harper accountable for his gay bashing policies, an obsession that eventually climaxes with the journalist being (unjustly) charged for sexual assault of Harper.

One thing certain is that Rob Salerno is fabulously convincing as a nerdy gay journalist capable of the actions taken by the character he plays (whom he names after himself.)   I had to read the program thoroughly to assure myself it was actually a piece of fiction.

Interesting, informative, and amusing, the piece shares numerous facts, quotes, and anecdotes concerning Conservative MPs that initiate much laughter from the audience.  However, as a piece of theatre it feels like something is missing.  Maybe it’s because it doesn’t carry the audience on any emotional journey. Instead of reliving the experience of the performer as it is told, the piece is delivered in a lecture fashion, complete with a power point presentation (or something that seems like a power point presentation.) that engages the brain but not the soul.

Fucking Stephen Harper is on as part of the Vancouver Fringe. For more information go here.