5 STARS!
Gumbo Theatre in a wacky romp that is distinctly Japanese. A hit at Fringe Fests across the US and Canada. Take a Japanese TV game show, mix in anime, Trump, Krazy Kitty and Japanese “Businessman”.
“This kooky, edgy, cartoon-like show may be the strangest show I’ve ever seen at the Fringe. Five stars simply for audacity and invention” – Edmonton Journal
Critics’ Choice Media Pick at Edmonton Fringe, Black Venue Pick at Orlando Fringe, Outstanding Comedy at San Diego Fringe, Best Ensemble at FRIGID Festival New York
I cannot believe that this show was permitted to be shown in 2022. It was the most racist performance I have seen in a long time. The audience (full of White people) was laughing and clapping along with all of the Japanese stereotypes. Would it be acceptable to show a play that made fun of black people, or Indigenous people? I don’t care that the performers were Japanese themselves. In the 20’s and 30’s, black Americans performed in “minstrel shows”, making fun of themselves, but I doubt those would be acceptable any more. Lest the reader think I am not a fringe fan, I came from Ottawa to attend Fringe. I bought tickets to 9 shows for this weekend, including 7 on Saturday. Of those 7, I loved 6, and walked out on 1. Guess which on is the latter!
What a wonderful, wild show! You truly never know what to expect at any turn. I don’t want to spoil anything…but just, go see it!
Never seen anything like it before but I enjoyed every minute! You will not be bored, that’s for sure. Edgy, entertaining, funny, sometimes shocking. I was thinking about the play for a long time after that. Highly recommend.