Beowulf or Gilgamesh You Decide!
presented by Chopping Block and Charlie Bethel
Showtimes
Fri., Aug. 1 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 3 @ 8:30 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 5 @ 5:30 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 6 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 7 @ 10:00 p.m.
Show details
Venue: U of M Rarig Center Arena
Duration: 60 minutes
Adapted by Charlie Bethel
Website: www.charlie-bethel.com/index.htm
Genres: Solo, Equity, Comedy
Warnings: Violence, Adult language
Overall rating
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User reviews
well done
by Bryan Logan Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I've never seen story telling done so well before. I hope I get to see him perform again in the near future.
cheers
by Jonas Goslow Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The only thing Charlie needs to make this better is a tankard of beer instead of a glass of water. I want to hear Beowulf told in an 16th century English tavern, and see if the audience there is any less spellbound. who's got a time-machine?
Finally
by Brian Watson-Jones Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I've been waiting to see Gilgamesh since Charlie Bethel stood on a chair at a Fringe party years ago and did a few minutes of it. Tonight I got that wish. Damn fine performing- glad you were free this Fringe.
Duh
by Courtney McLean Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Charlie Bethel is rad. Duh. And I don't feel I owe him a good review because my lack of coffee and overdose of Fringe partying resulted in my struggling to keep my eyes open during Beowolf. This sounds like a bad review - it most certainly is not. Afterwards I approached Charlie to tell him how deeply sorry I am and it's not his performance, it (my dozing) is because I'm an old lady and he says, "Courtney, it's fine - the show is hypnotic." And he's absolutely right. The show is hypnotic and Charlie himself is hypnotic. The man's mouth, like, caresses words as if they were ice cream and his voice was Hershey's. It's not just the structure of the story and the artful adaptation, but Charlie's incredible skillful movement, vocally and physically, around the stage that makes this show so captivating. Please believe me even though I was sleepy. If he gets the encore and you haven't had a chance to experience Bethel, go. I might just have 4 shots of espresso and join you. ;)
Can you believe it? NO!
by Taylor Marshall-Miernicki Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
physically pleasing, the most physical show i had seen that night. it was entertaining watching one man play all sorts of different characters and putting his body into those characters. it was great to see but didn't amaze me like i thought it would.
Gilgamesh
by Roni Goldstein Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This man has great diction. Bethel worked the audience, kept them intrigued and his voice was capturing. I have never seen a show like this and I wasn't sure going in how I would like it... it was so much fun. I'm excited to listen to the Beowulf Cd he gave me for being disappointed in not hearing it. He rocked it. Awesome performance.
I hope this gets an encore
by Nick Decker Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I had to switch gears from audience member to student, and after the mental readjustment I was treated to the most amusing lecture in Mesopotamian literature I've ever heard (also, the only lecture in Mesopotamian literature I've ever heard). I voted for "Beowulf" but was not disappointed by "Gilgamesh."
The Best
by Jim Howitt Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Storytelling in it's finest form. A must see
We Chose Beowulf
by Caitlin Sheaffer Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Charlie Bethel is nothing less than a brilliant writer and performer. If I had time I'd go back for the remaining two shows. I'd love to see Gilgamesh, but I'd happily see Beowulf again.
The Man Can Tell A Story
by Nate Cree Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
His version of Beowulf is well adapted, funny, and yet almost completely true to the spirit and style of the poem. If you're an English nerd, this is not something to be passed up.
If you're not an English nerd, go anyway for the fantastic storytelling. He's animated, captivating and flawless in his execution. He had every member of the audience with him about twenty seconds into the story and didn't let anyone go until the end.
All his act needs is to be held outdoors in the dark around an enormous bonfire.
Try for Gilgamesh on Thursday
by Tim Voss Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Charlie never fails to deliver the goods. He delivered a powerful and gripping rendition of Beowulf tonight. It was easily the best solo performance I've seen this Fringe. I'll make room for the last performance. Just maybe I'll get Gilgamesh...
Everything you've heard...
by phillip low Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
...and much more. Powerful stories, clever adaptations, incredibly controlled performances. I'm amazed that people are getting hung up on which one they get -- they're both easily in the top ten percent of Fringe shows. Full review available at the Twin Cities Daily Planet.
Mesmerizing
by Nathan Curland Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
After a close vote, we got Gilgamesh. Bethel mesmerized the audience with his story telling, physical acting, timing, voice and general personna. An incredible performance. Applause didn't stop until well after he had left the theatre room. Don't bring kids.
Best Yet
by Ronald Ostrow Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is the best we have seen yet at the Fringe, what we've been hoping for. Bethel performed Beowulf for us, the overwhelming audience choice tonight. He has a great voice, and great statecraft (moved well and connected with all in the theatre in the round format). Wide dynamic range from blood and guts, to comedy, king to prince. I've tried to read through Beowulf but always got lost after Grenel's mother showed up. Now I finally understand the story and its themes. Very intense. He has the whole story memorized (not reading from a lectern as do many) so it flows naturally. You have to, and are easily led to follow every word for the hour to keep track of the story line, for the words are packed like sardines, but not so they are lost. I trust his Gilgamesh is equally crafted and entertaining. His glass of water is the sands of time marking the telling of the story and his watch and pocket change the brackets of his hour. Go see it!
Classic Shows, Back Again
by Reid Gagle Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I've seen Beowulf and Gilgamesh in past Fringes, and loved them. I was very glad to get another chance to see them. If you haven't seen these shows, do so now while the great Charlie Bethel is back in town for a visit.
A story worthy of the light of a bonfire
by Nick n Rosie Heille Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Charlie Bethel, like an itinerant shaman, untied his rucksack, of well-known tales, and offered to let the audience select either the story of Beowulf or Gilgamesh. At the show we saw, the audience voted two to one for Gilgamesh the heroic poem of Old Babylonian's King of the City State Uruk.
The Fringe's addition of Beowulf or Gilgamesh to the schedule was a last minute change. Just hours before the Fringe was to start, an originally scheduled performance pulled out, it was also about that time the Fringe producers were visited by Charlie, who asked: "Do you needed help?" "Yes." was their grateful replied; and, he offered to do an audience selected Beowulf or Gilgamesh.
With a minimal stage set, the heroic power of Gilgamesh rested in Charlie's command of the space of a theater in the round. He moved about the space as if a citizen of Uruk, as he recounted how Gilgamesh grew in stature, as well as, power, and of how their king traveled to the netherworld to seek answers.
To watch, and hear Gilgamesh, was classical theater, with an occasional Shakespearian jousting with the rebel in audience; the shaman of Uruk recounted the their heritage. If one closed their eyes, it was possible to imagine the tale unfolded before the light of the night's bonfire that marked the entrance to City State of Uruk.
Next time: Beowulf?
by kit gordon Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Well, I was outvoted, and Gilgamesh filled the evening. But, hey, it's Charlie Bethel, who could read a phone book and I'd attend. The story is gripping, the performer amazing. Despite our hyper-connected 24/7 culture, nothing beats being in a room with a terrific storyteller who has an amazing tale to tell. See this show (or Beowulf; I may be back to try again).
I can't wait for the sequel
by Bill Stiteler Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is working out to be a fantastic Fringe for storytelling. Dressed in a blue shirt and jeans, Carlie Bethel took us back to ancient Sumeria for the epic of Gilgamesh. With his warm voice, enthusiasm, and wry asides, he succeeded handsomely in bringing this ancient tale to life. I'll be back for Beowulf.
