Shakespeare Crackpot
Kelly Stifora | CBC News | Posted: July 17, 2016 3:32 AM | Last Updated: July 17, 2016
FOUR STARS | You needn’t know anything about Shakespeare to enjoy what this raconteur has to offer
Rating: ★★★★
Company: Doctor Keir Co., Montreal
Genre: Play — Comedy
Venue: 9 — Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, University of Winnipeg
Let's get this out of the way for those Fringers who, like me, haven't seen any of Keir Cutler's previous hits: you needn't know anything about Shakespeare to enjoy what this Montreal raconteur has to offer.
Shakespeare does influence the proceedings, but Cutler's intellect and desire to build knowledge by sharing it are too far-reaching to limit themselves to one subject. Instead, he uses the topic of what a "Shakespeare crackpot" is as the opening incision in a cunning exploration of what it really means to think for yourself.
Cutler's intelligence is beatific—you'll want to believe everything he says, though he is begging you not to. - Kelly Stifora
Sound too pretentious? Well, I don't use the term "raconteur" lightly. Cutler's intelligence is beatific — it lifts that of all in its presence. And like a Canadian John Cleese, he knows exactly when to arch an eyebrow or bug out his eyes for maximum comic and communicative effect.
You'll want to believe everything he says, though he is begging you not to.