schedule
Illusion Theater
The Flickering Wall
Fri., Jul. 31 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 1 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 2 @ 8:30 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 6 @ 8:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 7 @ 10:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8 @ 10:00 p.m.
Venue Illusion Theater
For ages 12+
Written by Nathan Christopher
Web site www.illusiontheater.org
genres Drama, Sci-fi/mystery
subjects Relationships, Religious
features Audience participation, Original script/choreography, Equity cast members
Overall rating
User reviews
Gets better as it goes along
by Sharon Kahn Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
Audience traipses around the back stairs and hallways of the century-old repurposed Masonic Temple, interacting with bits of theater. Biggest downside: group is too large to even fit in some of the spaces, and the A/C cannot keep up. As the tour moves from dismal little hallways into the larger and more interesting backstage areas it gets better and better, and I was really enjoying it by the end. The skits are simply written and broadly played, but if you go with the flow it's a lot of fun. The stories themselves are pretty trivial; the ones that work are the ones that highlight the space and involve the audience.
Original concept, outstanding execution
by John Scott Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Several story elements revolve around this zany, comical presentation. They resolve themselves well, leaving only the lyrical end speach, and the dancing shadows to extend the audiences imagination, and bring them full circle to the real stage inside the stage.
If you enjoy theater, this will tickle your fancy and all the other spots as well.
Highly recommended!
A runaround
by August Berkshire Follow this reviewer
Rating 3 kitties
We tried attending this on August 6. Parked six blocks away, walked fast and got there 15 minutes before showtime. Only to find it was sold out. (Thanks to my being a professional driver - read maniac - we were able to get back to the car and see a different show.)
So we decided to be smart. We got reservations for August 8 at 10 p.m. and planned to take the light rail downtown and back (for a single fare that would be good for 2.5 hours). Only to find at the last minute that the West Bank light rail station was shut down. Running back to Washington Ave., we were fortunate to catch a bus right away, which got us to the venue with two minutes to spare.
Why am I telling you this runaround story? Because it is a prelude to the runaround we got during the play.
This play has two aspects: a gimmick and a story. The gimmick didn't work so well in a mostly muggy building. There wasn't much to the story either.
We also weren't asked to put our names on their mailing list when we arrived at the box office, which detracted from the ending of the show.
The play had its moments, but not enough to really recommend it.
Remount with changes?
by Melissa Beukema Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Flickering Wall is a great concept and I was so excited to see it that perhaps my expectations were too high.
There were several issues that made enjoying the show difficult. First, it was extremely hot/humid to a point of distraction. Second, as another reviewer mentioned, there was not enough room in the various spaces to accommodate all the patrons so if you weren't in the first half of people to get inside you missed the whole scene. Finally (and perhaps this is because I missed so much being in the back of the group), references to "memory, intuition, and self-deception" seemed thrown in rather than developed.
I'm still glad I attended the show because the walking tour showed all the intricacies of the Illusion and the end has a nice twist.
I like the idea and would see it again if they made some changes.
Flickered Out
by A. Lewis Follow this reviewer
Rating 2 kitties
Perhaps my expectations were set too high from some of the reviews,or the fact that I've seen every show by local group Skewed Visions, who does only site-specific pieces, and does them superbly. I've also worked in theater and hoped to feel some shared intimacy about the 'secrets'.
But this show seemed poorly organized, leading us into rooms at times for no apparent reason but to stand for a minute or two, though there often wasn't room for the entire audience and they had to wait in the hall. The little side-stories failed to hold my belief or interest and it all seemed too random to really pull together in the end. To quote the play, sometimes actors need direction.
Truly remarkable
by Jim Belich Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This was one of the most unique productions I've ever seen, one which truly made the most of its site-specific nature. The show takes you through all of the back corners of the Illusion Theater (which is an amazing space) as a variety of different story threads converge around you culminating in... well I don't want to give away the ending of this truly remarkable show. In fact it's one of those shows I'd like to see a second time, as I'm sure I didn't catch everything the first time around. Definitely a must-see.
My. God. A must-see.
by Christopher Kehoe Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
How often do you get to see a piece of theatre about theatricality? A performance about performativity? A narrative about narration? This is a fantastic piece of line-blurring, convention-questioning work. BYOV shows are always a crapshoot, but I recommend this with full confidence.
Gotch ya!
by Peggy Bandit Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This show was definitly a lot of fun and full of surprises! It was fun to travel behind the scenes of this cool theatre while being entertained. I have not experienced another show like it!
intriguing show
by Maggie Martin Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Clever end. Realistic sets. Hilarious younger duo. Outstanding acting by old lady character.
The Flickering Wall
by Susan Lynn Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Don't miss this show - there will be surprises at most every turn. Clever dialogue and a fascinating peek into the shadowy corners of the theatre will keep you intrigued and captivated. You'll keep guessing until the end!
don't miss this show
by Ann Melrose Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
This is unlike any performance I've attended, complete with surprise ending. Fascinating concept, clever script, audience engagement, really great set, which I realize is a bit unusual for a Fringe show.
Looking for a different experience in theater? You'll want to experience The Flickering Wall.
Must be seen
by Fenyx Fitz Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
A truly unique production. Don't miss it.
Fun Moving Adventure
by Julie Stone Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
Very inventive use of space and concept of "stage." Be prepared to see some great ninja moves from two shady characters who turn out to be highly entertaining.
surprises around every corner!
by Dawn Eileen Follow this reviewer
Rating 5 kitties
bravo! bravo! this was one of the most delightful, surprising and FUN shows I've seen in the Fringe. We want to see (or rather, "experience") this again and bring more friends with us. :)
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