Unfortunate Ruth

Fringe Description: Funny · Weird

Unfortunate Ruth at 10 p.m. was my fifth show of the day, giving me a special high, a special buzz (is there a better word for this?), but far from my best reviewing self.

There are two Ruths, identical twins in parallel realities, both - of course - played by Tara Travis, the author, directed by Jim Travis.   One Ruth is toothy and wears glasses while the other has made herself more attractive.   They work at desks at opposite sides of the stage, busied with phones and intercoms.  

Travis changes from one Ruth to the other by going behind a screen at the back of the stage,  probably too often, since the changes interrupt engagement.   The changes are, however, covered by cartoons above the stage by Mind of a Snail, of twins playing in the womb.  

While centrally we see the women at work (in a hospital?), Travis adds surreal elements: one Ruth has a shoulder pain because the foetus of her twin is lodged there, so perhaps she should have an operation.   Two women going in different directions (or is one changing and the other not?) provides sufficient story.

The show is very polished, with a set - uncredited - which looks as though it is occupying the Waterfront stage for a fortnight, not to be struck in a few minutes.

By Malcolm Page