Marathon
It’s listed in the “theatre” rather than the “comedy” section of The Fringe Guide, but TJ Dawe’s witty 75-minute monologue contains a great many side-splitting zingers, and he incorporates some surprisingly energetic physical comedy into his routine as well.
Self-effacingly droll reminiscences of the horrors Dawe endured during his high school track and field days serve as a springboard for Dawe to explore the psychology of competition, and the emotional barriers that serve as impediments to achieving one’s full potential. Dawe swings back and forth at random between personal anecdotes and broader philosophical musings on human nature.
Dawe delivers the more intellectual material in a disarmingly casual manner, and doesn’t try to show off by throwing around fancy academic jargon. Although the connections between his analysis of human psychology and the various anecdotes from his childhood aren’t always immediately apparent, the transition between the two sometimes quite abrupt, it all comes together quite neatly by the end of the show. Dawe’s personal stories are presented with a strong emphasis on the universal constants of adolescence that anyone can relate to, and even when talking about depressing experiences, his performance is imbued with an impressive verve and flair.
Entertaining and educational in equal measure, Marathon is an excellent example of a thinking man’s Fringe comedy show.
Benjamin Orchard
Photographer: Diane Smithers
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