The History of Stripping - Tarragon Theatre Extra Space - 30 Bridgman Avenue

I'm not really sure what I expected this show to be, but I wasn't expecting the post-modern feminist take on stripping, that was an interesting surprise. The show asks a lot of intriguing questions, and I have to say, as I was watching I found myself answering each of them in my head. There were fun playful moments throughout the show, which was a nice mix with the though-provoking subject matter. Even though the show is billed as a one-woman show, there are in-the-background players who don't have the spotlight, but who set the stage in a great way, which oddly enough added up to one of the big strengths of this show being the ensemble. The way the people on stage interact added a dimension to the show that could not have existed with a sole performer.

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EYE WEEKLY's Review

Lise "Kat" Evans aggressively humps the stage half-naked while demanding the audience to ask themselves, "What is making you uncomfortable, my body or my words?" Less about the history of nude performance and more about the power dynamic between performer and audience. Evans plays her characters well enough to render the presence of minor characters unnecessary, and the accompanying multimedia presentation needs some work, but overall the play succeeds in making the audience squirm. Eliza Northwood

2 Reader Reviews of "History of Stripping, The"

1. Ben Says:
   July 10th, 2007 at 9:53 pm

This was an excellent show. It was thought-provoking and very intense. The playwright is very talented. I would imagine that she would be a nightmare as a girlfriend, but as a playwright she is tremendous. Four stars.

2. Jordan Kennedy Says:
   July 11th, 2007 at 8:29 pm

Kat does a great job with a variety of nuanced characters and takes some big emotional (and physical) risks. Worth checking out for sure.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2007-07-05/stage_theatrelistings2.php