The Sketch Book Comedy Show
Created by A Bunch of Youth in the Cornwall Region
Produced by The Galloping Coconuts Products
55M | Comedy
By Mac Dale
The Sketch Book Comedy Show, presented by The Galloping Coconut Productions as part of the Ottawa Fringe Festival, showcases three delightful sketches performed by a group of talented teens from Cornwall and the surrounding area. Although they are still honing their writing and acting skills, their courage to prepare and deliver a performance at the Fringe deserves admiration.
Among the three sketches, the standout performance is undoubtedly “15-Minute Romeo and Juliet.” This rendition meanders the parallels between the social norms of modern society and Elizabethan times. Given that Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a staple in most high school curriculums, the audience can easily relate to it. The clever interplay of archaic and contemporary language makes this sketch the most accessible and enjoyable of the three.
“15-Minute Romeo and Juliet” is bookended between “Frogs And Smoothies” and “Lemon-Eating Game Show”. The other two sketches take a more absurdist and experimental approach. The narrator openly acknowledges their inspiration from Monty Python, so may cater to viewers who appreciate this distinctive genre. These sketches also incorporate elements of improvisational comedy, adding an unpredictable and spontaneous element to the performance. Although there were a few instances of awkward pauses that could have been mistaken for dropped lines, it is possible that they were intentional nuances of the style.
The actors and writers of The Sketch Book Comedy Show are still in their teenage years, with their skills in development. This leaves room for anticipation and curiosity about their future growth as they continue to practice and refine their artistic craft. Witnessing their progression over time will undoubtedly be an interesting journey. Keep an eye on these talented young performers.
The Sketch Book Comedy Show is playing at LabO on June 24 and June 25. Visit ottawafringe.com/fringe/ for the schedule and box office info. Read more reviews at https://apt613.ca/category/festival/fringe/.
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