Sexual Disorders and Single Black Females at The Fringe

Gara Nlandu and Letitia Brookes

Chocolate Magic Sunshine Indeed.

So what does a gay white man think of “Single Black Female”, a two woman comedy currently playing at the St. Ambroise Fringe Festival?

Let me grab my thesaurus because “amazing” hardly does this piece any justice. Though having said that, you get my drift and I’ll skip the thesaurus.

This is an incredibly popular piece of theatre that has been performed by other companies across the country. Written by Lisa B. Thompson, Single Black Female is a comedic show that explores the lives of two thirty-something African American middle class women in urban America as they search for love, clothes and dignity in a world that fails to recognize them amongst a parade of stereotypical images.

In any of my reviews, it always boils down to entertainment – a quality many performances touch upon but very few are able to maintain. SBF never takes itself too seriously, making sure to keep the audience engaged as we enjoy the two incredible performers who make an hour pass by in an instant.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away you’ll find an extremely different, though no less enticing, piece of theatre. “Paraphilia: Everybody Has A Sexual Disorder” stands out for two reasons. The writing is sitcom-esque but far superior than any comedy on television today. Lorne Svarc takes us through the story of a sexual therapist and three of her patients. The characters are relatable, well-rounded, and brought to life by a handful of actors who make their work look effortless.

The strong writing and talent on display make Paraphilia an easy recommendation for theatre-goers looking for something a little less experimental in execution but still edgy and different in theme.

Paraphilia: Everybody Has A Sexual Disorder  
http://www.montrealfringe.ca/en/show/paraphilia-everybody-has-sexual-disorder

Dates:
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 – 19:45
Friday, June 21, 2013 – 16:15
Saturday, June 22, 2013 – 23:30
Sunday, June 23, 2013 – 21:30

Cost: 10$ (plus fees)

Single Black Female
http://www.montrealfringe.ca/en/show/single-black-female

Dates:
Tuesday, June 18, 2013 – 20:00
Wednesday, June 19, 2013 – 23:30
Friday, June 21, 2013 – 20:00
Sunday, June 23, 2013 – 15:15

Cost: 10$ (plus fees)