Company: Absolute Zero, Winnipeg

Genre: Comedy — Improv, Sketch, Stand-up

Venue: 7 — The Cinematheque

This ill-conceived, ill-prepared confusion contains sketch comedy, stand-up, improv, reading of things written as children and even (!) inspirational poetry ("as my goosebumps flattened…").

What were these funny ladies thinking? That they could mount a Fringe show with what appears to be a few hours preparation?

Improvs went in circles; sketches ground to an awkward halt; cheap laughs relied on cruelty and cliché.

The few wan smiles it elicited from me were all the more pained because I had gone into this show prepared to love it. Comedy reflecting diverse female experiences is desperately needed in what is largely all-male terrain, and these four women had the potential to rock that boy-boat. If only the show didn't feel so lazy!

Individually, they are not without talent and charm, but collectively there is no spark. Good comedic improvisers make it look easy. Flesh-Coloured Crayons illustrates what hard work it really is.

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