“An Absolutely Absurd Piece with Committed and Compelling Performances”
Triple Lutz Productions bring their play Dear Michelle Kwan to the Fringe. It is an absurd dark comedy that focuses on four ice skating students preparing for a big show, with the help of their abusive trainer.
This show boasts a talented cast that are fully committed to the project. Our four skaters- Iris, Dahlia, Courtney, and Marnina- are played by Hannah Breshears, Isabella Fay, Skyler Sajewski, and Christie Spessard respectively. They are joined by Jasmyn Donya Molaei as Eve, their abusive trainer. Breshears, Fay, Sajeski and Spessard are electric as the skaters, bringing a wondrous energy to the piece. They embody the young women they play to perfection, and have seemingly endless reserves of energy as the show builds. They do a brilliant job in these characters and the audience really empathise with them. Molaei is both authoritative and terrifying as the villainous Eve, commanding and manipulating the skaters in more and more brutal ways.
The piece is written well by Spessard, exploring the trials and tribulations of the sport while also looking at the inner workings of young friendships and comradery. It centres around the four skaters praying to Michelle Kwan to find strength to bring their best selves forward. As the piece escalates and tensions grow, the prayers to Kwan take on a more occultish feel, leading to a dramatic and dark conclusion. This show is totally absurd, and embraces that. The writing is soundly crafted and it leaves you feeling almost mystified at what you have just seen. It is visually stunning as well, with costuming by Chris Gavarone adding to the show nicely.
The choreography interspersed throughout the piece is wonderful, as is the direction by Ryan Pangracs. Every inch of the stage is used and each character gets their moment as they delve deeper and deeper into the story. It still has room for development; it could further embrace the surreal elements of the piece. There is scope to push boundaries even more while relying less on some of the many prayers to Kwan, which at points interrupted the action at the wrong moments.
That being said, upon leaving the theatre I was profoundly affected. It sticks with you, as you consider the harshness of the training in these scenarios. A truly wonderful show that I wish I had seen earlier in the run to shout about it to more people. Hopefully we see it again in the future.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/dear-michelle-kwan
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Studio at theSpaceTriplex
Dates: 7th – 29th August (Not 16th, 23rd)
Time: 15.05
Ticket prices: £8.50 / concessions £5.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 12+ (Guideline)