UnCouth is the story of Windy Wynazz, a woman who lusts to have the spotlight upon her as she dances and performs. A physical comedy told in part through dance and acrobatics.
Should you see it?
If you’ve followed my reviews for any period of time, you know I’m big on story and narrative. It’s pretty much -the- thing I look for. Some shows defy conventional structure for a myriad of reasons. Sometimes they work. UnCouth is one of those that mostly worked.
UnCouth is the story of Windy Wynazz, who yearns for the attention and adulation that only fame and the spotlight can grant. The problem is that she isn’t really cut out for it and so she makes a sort of Faustian deal with the devil. Deal for the fame if not the grace and talent.
Wynazz dazzles on stage. Pretty much everything she does is entertaining. The show is largely built on dancing, acrobatics, and physicomedy*, of which Wynazz is a master.
Some scenes in UnCouth are Vaudevillian in their silent stylings. Others lean towards graceless, bordering on awkward burlesque. Wynazz as a character is a hot mess, but as a performer is hot stuff. One extended sequence has the most involved audience participation I’ve ever scene. The audience recruit on opening night was a wonderful sport, but I am glad that wasn’t me. (If you’re not in the front row, you’re probably safe.)
The one thing that left me wanting in UnCouth was the lack of any real conclusion. The beginning was great, the middle was great, the individual scenes were great. Only it never really ended. Just stopped.
In one of our preview articles, I promised that UnCouth would deliver something different and wholly unique, and I am happy to confirm that it lives up to that and is well worth checking out.
* physicomedy: a new term that I’ve decided is appropriate, combining physicality and comedy.
For full show times and how to buy tickets, visit ottawafringe.com
But that’s just my opinion and I’d love to know what you think. Did Wynazz dazzle you? Did the lack of any real end or conclusion bother you? Join the discussion in the comments below.
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