Mortem Capiendum
presented by Four Humors Theater
Showtimes
Sat., Aug. 2 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 3 @ 10:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 6 @ 8:30 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 9 @ 10:00 p.m.
Show details
Venue: U of M Rarig Center Thrust
Duration: 60 minutes
For ages 11+
Created by Four Humors Theater
Website: www.fourhumorstheater.com
Genres: Comedy, Drama
Overall rating
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User reviews
Great Show
by Bryan Logan Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The script and actors were all at the top of their game.
The Best
by Carleen Huseth Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
We really enjoyed this play. Wish it could of lasted longer. The execution was EXCELLENT. The actors were soooo funny. Hurry back.
I'm really sorry I can't recommend this
by Kristi Lawless Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I can't because I saw the last show of the festival, and they didn't get the encore slot. I LOVED this show. I laughed so hard, and the show kept me totally engaged. I loved all of the clever details. I hope they "revive" this one beyond the fringe. OK, I'll say it anyway--highly recommended!
whatever.
by David Lee Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I saw it twice.
The first time it was really funny.
The second time I started to see and appreciate how well it's written and executed.
Cap-ee-END-em.
by Cody Stewart Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This vaudevillian style romp has a tight premise, but I believe that the premise does not squeeze the show through the keyhole for a full hour's worth of entertainment. The characters, however, are tightly crafted and the actors have much chemistry. Spring crafts his huckster Professor Saint Miracle with bright choreography reminiscent of today's TV evangelism. All the characters have a transformation of fortune and a nice story arc, but the one liners got old after awhile and the story (and some of Miracle's later bits of longer -extended dialogue) dragged three quarters of the way through. I give this piece 3.5 out of 5.
Four Humors always delivers.
by Colleen Smith Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
These guys know what works. One does not need to force a giggle at an awkward moment in order to create a self-delusion of enjoyment during the performance. It's just funny.
And delightfully anti-Polish.
And as a patroness of Four-Humors improv, I was delighted that the bucket-of-water stunt made it into one of their productions. :)
For your own sake, GO already.
I think I'll see it again
by Allyson Daniels Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is by far one of my favorite shows to see in the Fringe. Funny, consistant, fast-paced, and a WONDERFUL cast to boot. You need to see this show!
Deftly excellent
by Brian Watson-Jones Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A hilarious tale, that starts light, turns dark, then light again, and so on back and forth until the characters and their fates get muddy and grey. But in a good way. Terrific, with exquisitely timed physical comedy the whole way through. Plus, it harkens back to an earlier time, when any person with half a clever bone in their body could catch death in a sack. Which is just my cuppa tea. Highly recommended!
twists and turns
by Lesley Rice Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
how clever! i loved the concept and the characters were completely engaging. if any criticism be given, some of the character choices may have been a bit bold. they were still believable and genuine, but not exactly true. overall, an amazing show with great momentum.
trapped
by Jonas Goslow Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
three traveling salesman trap death in a trunk? The only thing they trapped was 150 people in a stuffy theater. psych! awesome, as usual. ethical wind-sock.
Deaths of Salesmen
by dixie treichel Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Clever wit & slapstick. Fun show. Well done.
It was good, but I didn't like it.
by Erica Mauter Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I had high expectations for this one, having seen previous shows by this group. I didn't enjoy it that much. It was cleverly written and well acted. A really good show. I just didn't like the story.
five creepy kitties
by BN DR Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Fantastic show, really well-done in all aspects.
A Real Delight
by Alan Berks Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I want to thank them for making me smile so wide from start to finish, both from the content of the show -- great one-liners, physical comedy, set-up, everything -- and also from the fact that the show just kept getting better and better as it went along. I kept waiting for them to run out of ideas or take the easy way out, but they never did. Just a joy to experience. See it.
Huckster Heaven
by Tim Voss Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
This is fun Fringe fare with plenty of laughs. And that's reason enough to see it. Enjoy!
Out of the park
by Bill Stiteler Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Four Humors has quickly become the gold standard of the Fringe festival. Another fantastic, hilarious show with all the elements perfectly aligned. Highly recommended.
Needs More Brant!
by Platt Platt Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Just kidding!
I would have given this show four kitties if they really let Brant loose. Good thing they didn't!
Five stars, go ape!
Need I say more...
by Jasmine Rush Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
When I see the name Four Humors, I can already assure that I will be more than entertained. Since I have come to know this company's work, each show just gets better and better and I am always in awe. Mortem gives the audience something new, interesting and intriguing to be apart of, making us care for the characters and having us laughing and crying (usually from laughing) the whole ride. Mortem Capiendum is a genuine piece of theatre with three great performances, great storyline, with a touch of banjoline to make it just right. Hats of again! Thanks for great theatre guys!
Four Humors Stretches Its' Wings
by Don Shuler Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Having seen a number of Four Humors works over the years one begins to expect "the funny". In fact, they set the bar pretty high for themselves. That's okay though, because Mr. Ballweber, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Spring thrive under stress. But with Mortem Capiendum we see something new from this company. We begin to see these actors finding new ways to broaden the "types" they often find themselves in. Mr. Spring has shown before that he can handle the spoken word, but in this show his verbal capacity is stretched to a point of no return. His Prof. St. Miracle begins to hemorrhage words as his desperate situation becomes apparent. And Mr. Ballweber's Lloyd is shocking even to those who have seen him perform. We have seen Mr. Ballweber play angry before, but in this show we see something much darker and much more menacing. And Mr. Miller's outstanding showmanship holds this furiously paced comedy together.
It is exciting to see these young comedic performers finding newer, deeper, more complex areas to explore. And we can only hope that they continue to follow this impulse to follow comedy into all of its deep, dark, corners.
Over-rated
by Ronald Ostrow Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
We were disappointed with this show, having read the reviews. Much of the audience liked it (we too had a person behind us who guffawed at ear-splitting levels). Very sophomoric show, that sort of ran out of gas. Reminds me of the show the U frats used to put on in the old field house. Go to "Beowulf or Gilgamesh" for some real theater (see our review).
I got my $4 back!
by Nick Decker Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
"Mortem Capiendum" delivered some excellent humor in the first half, but the shift in tone was quite noticable and disconcerting, which I could only imagine was Four Humours' intentions. But while the laughs slowed near the center, they picked back up at the end, delivering some smarter and poignant jokes.
Souls Are Nice
by Ben Thietje Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I had a great time at this show. It was well written and well performed. It really made me think. For instance: aren't banjos great?
Hooray for Mortem Capiendum!
by Tim Hellendrung Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Mortem Capiendum was tight from the beginning, immediately bringing me into an era when medicine shows travelled the West. The humor was spot on and the performance by Ballweber as Lloyd was brilliant.
It was fast-paced and balanced well after the dark turn, never giving up the humor.
Great show!
loved the show
by Sherry Larson Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
But I hated the audience. Well, not all the audience. I hate when a show has plants. Those people who roar with laughter after every line. I had 4 people behind me that knew the cast. One woman sat forward in her chair and cackled at every line. I was missing the next line. The show is funny and it would have nice to hear it. Laughing is good. Ear piercing cackling not good. I moved and sat behind a guy with gas, which happens especially if you have been sitting in theatres all day. Seriously,this show is great. It deals with the life, what is life, what is a soul, is there a soul. It makes you think, it makes you smile and it makes you laugh. It is an amazing show.
Admirable--not really my humor
by Crummy Reviewer Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I've seen other work by this company and these performances showed great control. The premise tightened as time passed (and it was very fun to watch the actors play the game of who's killing who... I anticipated more killing). Sometimes the show seemed just clever rather than captivating in it's story, but very thorough work (the modern language/delivery was a very distinct choice).
I'm sold
by Mark Ryan Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Who cares if they have a soul or not, I want some of what these hucksters are selling. They were hilarious. Definitely a must-see Fringe show!
I'm sold
by Rachel Teagle Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
A strong cast, a strong premise, and enough bizarre period references to drop you to your faintin' couch. I had loads of fun both being conned and watching the con unravel. The plot was engaging and the performances stellar. I only wish my sore throat hadn't impeded the expression of my laughter because I spent most of the show covering my mouth and shaking in silent mirth. Maybe they got a tonic for that
"Mortem Capiendum" Has Character
by Caitlin Sheaffer Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Four Humors delivers again with masterful performances, wit, and ingenuity. These guys know how to please an audience. Highly recommended.
Another great Four Humors show
by Melissa Beukema Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
We laughed so hard. I loved the subtle applications to today's health care issues.
THAT'S HOW YOU SELL CHOCOLATE!!!
by Mark Long Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I loved this show from the great one-liners to the entire mood and presentation. Good people of Hennepin County do yourself a favor and see it. If you have an advice-dispensing racist in your family and through therapy, you can now laugh at it, you are in for an extra treat.
Do Snake-Oil Salesmen Have Souls?
by Steve Indvik Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show starts out as a humdrum caricature of a 1930's travelling side show selling miracle drugs. Then death arrives and the show moves in a much different direction. A little slow at first, but well written, well acted and funny in an intelligent way! Go see it!
Energetic, laugh a minute show
by Swizzy Wizzlecheeks Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
The laughter came early and never stopped in this old timey, snake oil salespitch. The entire cast was spot on, but special praise to Matt Spring as the lead salesman. The energy and rapid paced dialogue he laid out was incredible. Brant Miller, the salesman's sidekick, communicated less with his words than with his body language and expressions (marvelously done). The high-energy "sales pitch" can only go on so long, and when the characters finally "go on break", I found myself wishing we had seen more of the "off stage" interaction.
Four Kitties for Four Humors
by Kris Man About Fringe Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Brilliant concept and performances. Count me in for the next production! Kudos gentlemen.
These guys rock!
by Elise Langer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
They know exactly what they're doing, and they know what their audience wants, and you should go see the show. Just go see it. Just shhh. Go.
A polished and rich production
by Florence Brammer Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This was a really polished production with a great script, super acting and effective staging. A very satisfying Fringe hour and one definitely worth your time.
Medicine Show Magnificence
by Fringivitis Vulgaris Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Tight timing, brilliant patter, and a tight team of three-way comic foils made this a wonder to behold, folks! Step right up, see the team that totes a miraculous cure for comedic doldrums! From the pomade-slicked huckster to the benighted banjo player to the sharpest faux hick there ever was, you'll get all this - but wait, there's more! Sip the elixir on offer here, and pay attention to the steamer trunk.
Snake Oil Faerietale
by David Rust Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
On the heels of my first 2008 show, which was brilliant, "Mortem Capiendum" also blew me away! The acting and comic timing are brilliant; it's fast-paced and brilliantly told. Moreso, as the play goes on, you start to see a darker side to the whole thing but without it becoming a cynical mess: this is a fine, perfect example of stage storytelling. In the end, what the writer, director, and actors have presented is an American fable; something really special!
Snake Oil Fantasy
by Richard Heise Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A Medicine Show not to be missed. This fast talking sales pitch will charm the laughter right out of you. An uproarious look at immortality and a death defying elixir.
Ladies and Gentlemen!
by Kale Ganann Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Ladies and Gentlemen! Good people of Minneapolis! Have I got a show for you!
It's invigorated, it's syncopated, it's prest-i-digi-tated, and it's gonna cure all your ills.
Now, I hear you out there; you're saying to me, but my ills ain't got no cure, son, they's gonna follow me 'til the end of my days.
Not so, good friend, not so! I implore you to see Professor Jonathan Saint Miracle's Travelling Medicine Show for the anodyne to all your pains, the panacea to all your woes, the placebo...
...no wait, scratch that last one.
Four Humors again delivers and this one's big, folks. So come on down for the one of the best of this year's Fringe - you want what they're selling.
Believe the Hype
by Courtney Roche Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Four Humors has yet to disappoint me. They've crafted a fun and surprisingly fresh show based on a con act as old as the dollar bill. It'll have you grinning.
Stellar!
by Ruth Alkons Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Loved it!
Well-Polished and Great Fun
by Boom Boom Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Each character was brilliant and the comedy was clever and fun.
Cheers Mates!!
Disappointing
by re gurgitate Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Rating this against the other Four Humours shows I've seen(all of them) This is the only weak effort of the bunch. What starts as a fun visit to the traveling medicine show(a little research on keeping period verbiage would be nice) degenerates into repetitive scenework. The characters interacted with the audience, yes, but not with each other, which is what we really want to see.
Too Clever By Half
by Ernest Edwards Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This show has excellent use of situations and dialogue. It takes you back to the age of the swindling sales man trying to sell you all that you need in a bottle to cure your ills. It;s a fun romp with tons of humor.
"Don't make beautiful things dirty"
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Hysterically funny send-up of a Depression-era Medicine Show. The con men squeeze an amazing amount of laughs from their attempts to separate you from your money, and from capturing the devil. Sometimes metaphysical and sometimes on the dark side, the show is well-written and superbly acted. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
As if there were any doubt
by Jeffrey McCants Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
After having the pleasure of seeing "Deviled Eggs" back in 2006, I knew these guys from Four Humors Theater would bring something great and they did. Instead of a traditional sit back and relax theatre experience, these guys kept the house lights up and let the audience partake in the action. Think of this show as an old fashioned infomercial before there were TV's. These snake oil salesmen try and con audience members into buying their wares in the most hilarious ways possible. Great show that will leave you laughing for days.
Excellent
by Donovan Walker Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This is a very fun, really great show. The only reason it get's 4 kitties instead of five is the blue glowing thing you see in the picture is really green....
Go see it!
