schedule
Sara Stevenson Scrimshaw
Mansion of Dust
Fri., Jul. 31 @ 5:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 4:00 p.m.
Tue., Aug. 4 @ 8:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 9 @ 7:00 p.m.
Venue Southern Theater
For ages 12+
Created by Joseph & Sara Scrimshaw
Web site www.josephscrimshaw.com
genres Dance, Comedy
features World premiere, Regional (MSP) premiere, Original script/choreography
Overall rating
User reviews
Great Dusters
by Liz Floyd Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
These 2 work great together, just as they did last year. I saw Mansion right after Speaking Out, incredibly strong dancers, so in Mansion I was disappointed by the dance. I had also been so amazed by Joseph in Tragedy of You on a previous evening that to not see him loud and so animated like he was in that and even in the Fairies last year I was left wishing for more. So how to solve that remedy? See them all again next year again and decide later I think. The quality for all of them is outstanding!!
An added benefit of this show. I found myself using a duster to get rid of too many spider webs in my basement the next day.
Enjoyable Show
by Laurel Hansen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
After I described the plot to my boyfriend he said, "It sounds like you're telling me about one of your dreams." And, as I thought about it, he was right. But it is that kind of dream that you're having when the alarm goes off and you hit snooze so you can dream a little longer to see what happens.
laugh and dance
by David McKay Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
With two of the fringes most prolific performers, you can go to this show knowing you will have a good time. These artists skillfully mix dance, comedy, and even a little music with a kicking drum solo, into a show that will leave you with a smile on your face and a dance in your step.
This is also a very kid friendly show and they will love it.
Dust off your imagination
by jeff stone Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
It is a treat to explore imagination, lyrical dance, and coy romance. Enjoy a dance story that tells a story and makes you smile.
Active humor
by Eric Meininger Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
I went to this show without a lot of expectations - other than the Scrimshaw reputation. I was pleasantly surprised. The show was touching - a love story about dusting - of all things. Go see this one - you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Light as a feather
by phillip andrew bennett low Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Charming enough, but there's really not all that much to it. Light and fluffy and feels like it's over almost as soon as it starts. Full review available at the Twin Cities Daily Planet.
Great Incorporation of Dance & Humor
by Guy Bock Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Fans of Joe\'s caustic brand of humor will find an extra note of emotional depth to this performance entirely to the credit of Sara Scrimshaw.
The story is actually a ghost story so some suspension of disbelief will be required of you. If you have a problem with that or are generally hostile to references to Swedish folklore, then you may want to stay at home, crouching in your dark hole.
The rats will show you which species of centipede are too poisonous to stomach.
Just not enough
by Johanna Lewis Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
I really wanted to love this after seeing the preview at the Fringe for All; the premise had so much promise and the Scrimshaws are both such appealing and talented performers. The opening dusting duel and the closing seduction were the high points; the middle of the show lost me. 2-1/2 kitties rounded up for a creative premise. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Ha Ja Ha
by Thomas Cassidy Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Any Scrimshaw, any time, any Fringe for an inimitable blend of schlock, pratfall, balls, homage, and jokes few others would attempt. This breezy and fun show features dueling broomsticks, a bunny attack in the dark, and a typewriter with lines. You know the Fringe is still the Fringe when a staple of the Fringe has the staples pried back.
Surprisingly Unfortunate
by Tim Voss Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
This was disappointing. The first third is quite enjoyable, especially the dueling dusters. But then everything degrades to forced jokes, a lame story and cliches that could have been skipped.
Good opening, poor follow through
by Dave Romm Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
The first few minutes are fun, as two dusters with outrageous accents challenge each other and then duel with dusters and mops. But the rest of the show doesn't go anywhere. I expect a lot from a Scrimshaw show, and this didn't deliver, alas. A Shockwave Radio Theater Review.
Longer reviews with pictures at Baron Dave's LiveJournal and snarky comments on Facebook.
For The Kids
by Cassandra Butler Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
The characters were stereotypical and cliche, while the story was annoyingly predictable. Accents were bad and jokes were stale. The dancing was boring and repetitive. Would definitely recommend for a younger audience around 7 to 12 years of age do to the extremely silly nature of the show.
Easy to Dance to, It Has a Good Beat
by Richard Stryker Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show had a nice dance number where the song had a great "beat". In fact, Joseph Scrimshaw gave the skins a shellacking and S. S. S. heated the place up. I think I got a dance fever. Go, sit back and enjoy a cute show.
Let The Plot Go Hang
by John Munger Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This confection of a show depends on three elements: movement (dance), script-schtick including props and dialogue, and the wacky plotline. It lists itself as a dance show despite having a triple-discipline structure of movement, comedic script, and physical theater. But the listing as dance is thoroughly defensible. More than anything else this is a show about movement and space and gesture and how they forward the plotline and the relationship between the two goofy professional .. uh .. cleaning persons. Of these three elements the script has some weaknesses ranging from implausibility at certain points (yes, even in a wild and wacky set-up like this one)to loose threads lift dangling. But the strong element is movement. There is engaging dance by Sara, first-class physical comedy by Joseph, and a wealth of theater-based simpler movement done with great attention to detail. It's so good that you don't notice how good it is. You are simply drawn along. Examples include the use of the dusters, of the swiffers, and the unpacking of the trunk. I was also impressed with the way that clear use of space reinforced the evolution of the relationship between the two characters. This is a fun show. Perhaps a bit unfinished on the grown-up plotline level, but probably a delight as a family outing. Let the script go hang. This was fun.
Cute but underworked
by David Trudeau Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Good concept but not enough development - needs more interest in side plots. Characters good and well developed. Has a simple touching childishness which is appealing, but exhausts its meager plot in less than the 35 minutes it ran.
sweet!
by Aleah Vinick Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
This was a fun, charming kick show. I agree with other reviewers that Sara and Joseph had great chemistry and both played to their strengths in this one!
great show!
by tin lizzy Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Knowing Joseph Scrimshaw from performances in Fringes past I bet on this as a worth-seeing performance and was not disappointed. It's clever and cute, with great chemistry between the performers. The intentionally overwrought French and Swedish accents were charming and endearing - the performers were clearly having great fun with their roles without taking themselves or their performance so seriously as to kill the fun.
The random surreal plot was fun just for its complete random ridiculous wtf-ness.
Super cute
by Cole Sarar Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Adorable dance/theater, fantastic characters, and a drum set! The dueling dusters were probably my favorite part.
Light and fun
by Tim Wick Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
I really enjoyed this show and I think it is a terrific way to introduce children to dance. I know the show rating shows 12+ but I think this could play to kids in the 8-12 range. The mixture of comedy and dance will appeal to almost anyone. A few minor scares may make this less appropriate for the very young but other than that, I say bring the family with.
Oui! Oui!
by Waylon Werner Follow this reviewer
Rating 4 kitties
Cute & Original. I was nervous this was going to be one of those shows that is fantasic during 5/10min festival but does not translate to 45mins etc, BUT I was quickly put at ease. Southern\'s unique look is the perferct backdrop this quirky show. Fantastic for kids.
Cute, original and whimsical
by William Beeman Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
The Scrimshaw enterprise in the Twin Cities is a fabulous cultural gift. These folks are so original, so talented. I would see anything they produce. Some may see this play as a little bit of light meringue for the stage. There are no heavy social issues, only a sweet romance in a semi-ghostly setting. It is cute without being cloying, funny without hitting you over the head. It has an insouciant romantic premise, dancing, some of the trademark Scrimshaw manic movement and gentle humor. It is shorter than many other shows, giving you time to catch a bite in Seven Corners before the next show. Joseph and Sara make an unlikely but cute couple.
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