Dressed as People
Created by Kelly Robson, Amal El-Mohtar, A.M. Dellamonica and Margo MacDonald
Produced by Punk Reek Productions
Review by Julia Bueneman
50-60 mins / 14+
Captivating and thought-provoking, Dressed as People seamlessly weaves three stories with themes of abduction, loss and queerness into one beautiful, dark play. Margo MacDonald’s storytelling prowess shines brightly, illuminating the thematic complexities with a driven and compelling triptych of narrative voices.
Each tale unfolds like a twisted tapestry and the scenes are imbued with a sense of authenticity that resonates long after the end of the show. MacDonald’s ability to pull audiences deeper into the spellbinding worlds they’ve created is an absolute treat, balancing intensity with well-timed comedic relief.
Margo MacDonald in Dressed as People at the Ottawa Fringe Festival. Photo by Andrew Alexander.
The set is elegant and simple, consisting of three costumes suspended from the sky which allows each of the stories to take centre stage. From the soft glow of a single spotlight to the eerie flicker of a candle, the design was very effective and invited the audience into the world of suspense, mystery and darkness.
Dressed As People casts a chilling shadow throughout the narratives and the humour peppered throughout the show serves not to detract from the play’s haunting atmosphere, but to enhance it. Offering a glimpse into the complex and often contradictory nature of the human experience, this play will have a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to see it.
Dressed as People is playing at La Nouvelle Scène — Studio A from June 13–22. Tickets are $14 plus service fees at the Fringe box office (3rd floor, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue), and at the two satellite box offices (LabO in the Ottawa Art Gallery and La Nouvelle Scene). 5 and 10 Show Passes are also available. Visit the Ottawa Fringe Festival’s website for the show’s schedule and check out their online schedule here.
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