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Maria Grazia Affinito Performance Dates 9, 11, 13 & 14 September at False Creek Gym Performer Maria Grazia Affinito I went into this show with the expectation to have a few laughs at the expense of someone else’s mother. I had no idea this would turn out to be one of my Fringe favourites; a powerful and evocative memoir that made every audience member question their own relationship with their parents. I left the theatre with a new understanding and appreciation for my parents’ upbringing and about how their embarrassing quirks are the result of their own personal traumas and joys. Eating Pasta off the Floor made me both cry with laughter and tear up with empathy. Maria Grazia’s impersonations of family members and those they encounter in their lives were entertaining and vivid. Her powerful performance will stay with you long after you leave the theatre. Mindy Dillard Performance Dates 8, 11 -13 at Studio 1398 Performer Mindy Dillard Psychology meets Disney Princesses – two of my favourite things! Mindy Dillard creatively shared her story of overcoming anorexia through the use of song, electric guitar, a book of fairytales and a smidge of lipstick. The metaphor of a poison apple was used to explain how we princesses allow poison into our own minds – in a variety of methods but especially via our own self-defeating thoughts. Dillard gently invited audience participation and I was shocked to find myself (along with everyone else) singing along which really made all of us in the theatre feel truly connected to the piece. This is a performance I would want to show to every impressionable teenage girl I know. It gives the important message that no matter what we eat or believe, we are all “full” – not lacking or omitting anything; complete. Best of all, a portion of the proceeds from each performance go to support Vancouver based The Looking Glass Foundation to support
locals living with eating disorders. Rory Ledbetter Performance Dates 9, 11, 12 & 14 at Performance Works Performer Rory Ledbetter Although I have a psychology degree and have worked in the field of addiction, I did not fully understand the gambler’s mind until I saw Mr Ledbetter’s honest performance. He begins by explaining to the audience how dopamine works in the brain – how it rewards thrills and keeps us craving that feeling again. He goes on to explain (with help from a jaunty harmonica) his downward spiral into debt and how a self-help group finally helped him re-establish control of his own life. I was left empathizing with his dilemmas and left feeling torn about his tough choices instead of judgemental. This really is a performance that all mental health professionals should observe, along with family members of problem-gamblers. We were left with a sense of hope when Mr Ledbetter reveals how good things can come when we finally seize control over our own lives. Martin Dockery Performance Dates 4 - 7, 11, 13, 14 at Waterfront Theatre Performer Martin Dockery
Performance Dates 4 - 7, 10, 12, 14 at False Creek Gym Performer Christine Robinson © 2014 Cassie Silva
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