The Universal Wolf

Thought For Food Productions’ retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is billed as a ‘vicious new version’ – no small boast, given how bloody the original fairy tales tended to be.

Regardless, *The Universal Wolf* makes good on its promise, giving each character a sociopathic streak and dousing their performance with plenty of blood, all in the styling of a French cabaret.

Unfortunately the narrative also overdoses with tongue-in-cheek cameos by great French thinkers, destined to be lost on anyone without a philosophy degree. Although the self-important academic undertones run the range from trite to infuriating (having to read an introduction to structuralism in a program is a danger sign), the troupe manage to get by on other merits. The performers – who directed the show collaboratively – are obviously enjoying themselves, especially Paul Rivers as the overbearing Reader, playing the part of the American revisionist. The other characters are at the mercy of his enthusiastic stage direction, as well as his regular asides to indulge in pompous theory.

If this comes across as conflicted, it is; I left the theatre annoyed by the more pretentious elements, but at the same time having thoroughly enjoyed the ridiculous camp of it all. I would have been happier if the whole thing didn’t feel like a staged version of an undergraduate term paper.

The Universal Wolf continues to howl until July 12th as part of the ongoing Toronto Fringe Festival. You can find more information including showtimes "here":http://www.fringetoronto.com/fringe09/indoorBYOV_listings.html#T or by going "here":http://tffproductions.googlepages.com/thoughtforfood