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    Spitting in the Face of the Devil and  Naked
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Atlantic Fringe Festival Venue Jumping on Day 6

Spitting in the Face of the Devil and Naked

Posted by Kate Watson on Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 2:01 PM

After two jam-packed days of theatre, it was a lovely break to have a day with only two shows to see. I chose wisely, too. The heavy, but masterfully-delivered subject matter of Spitting in the Face of the Devil balanced beautifully with the short, light-as-a-soap-bubble Naked.

“Naked” would be another excellent title for Spitting in the Face of the Devil, as its actor/writer Bob Brader strips his life bare in front of a spell-bound audience. Brader lived through years of unimaginable hell with an abusive, child-molesting father, and some of the details are difficult to listen to. However, from the moment Brader steps on the stage, his easy-going manner and warm smile offer reassurance that you are looking at a survivor who has ultimately risen above the experiences of his childhood. Brader is a wonderful story teller who draws the audience in with vivid impressions of the family and friends who surrounded him. The use of a large family photo set in one corner of the stage is a brilliant touch. Somehow, by looking into the faces of the characters in the story (particularly that of Brader’s father) the story is made more real and poignant. This play deserves to be seen, and its message of hope and triumph deserves to be heard.

Lisa Rose Snow and Natasha MacLellan star in Naked, the story of a poor little rich girl who is trapped by her inability to connect with people on any meaningful level. The emptiness of her life is magnified by the fulfilling existence lead by her spunky, hard-working, happily-married house keeper. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is some heavy, moralistic play. Witty banter, high production values and great chemistry between Snow and MacLellan make this a short, snappy theatre confection.

Show times, prices and locations can be found at www.atanticfringe.ca