Shakespeare Crackpot

Rating:

Company: Doctor Keir Co., Montreal

Genre:Play Comedy

Venue:3Pantages Studio

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(Reviewed at the 2016 Winnipeg Fringe Festival)

Let's get this out of the way for those Fringerswho, like me, haven't seen any of Keir Cutler's previous hits: you needn't know anything about Shakespeare to enjoy what this Montreal raconteur has to offer.

• Winnipeg Fringe 2017: read our reviews

Shakespeare does influence the proceedings, but Cutler's intellect and desire to build knowledge by sharing it are too far-reaching to limit themselves to one subject. Instead, he uses the topic of what a "Shakespeare crackpot" is as the opening incision in a cunning exploration of what it really means to think for yourself.

Cutler's intelligence is beatificyou'll want to believe everything he says, though he is begging you not to.- Kelly Stifora

Sound too pretentious? Well, I don't use the term "raconteur" lightly. Cutler's intelligence is beatificit lifts that of all in its presence. And like a Canadian JohnCleese, he knows exactly when to arch an eyebrow or bug out his eyes for maximum comic and communicative effect.

You'll want to believe everything he says, though he is begging you not to.