Jan and Peg would like to remind you that this is nota cult. “Not a cult!” the hostesses burble, as they prepare for the Supperware party we’ve been invited to. (Supperware is like Tupperware, but with more pentagrams.)
They also stress that this is nota pyramid scheme, and obviously not a ritual sacrifice. “Absolutely nothing to be nervous about!” the Minnesotan ladies chirp, as they adjust the horned idols and refill the snack bowls.
Spoiler alert: it’s not called Jan & Peg’s Normal Party.
This show is dumb. Like, spectacularly, wonderfully dumb.
Writer-performers Celene Harder and Val Duncan, however, are whip-smart and clearly having a hoot. Their improv is razor sharp: the off-the-cuff throwaways are routinely funnier than the scripted bits. And, with the show running at a brisk 40 minutes, nothing overstays its welcome.
Jan & Peg’s Ritual Sacrificeis a perfect, fizzy, Fringey cocktail. But may the Dark Lord help you if you, like me, foolishly attempt to open your Supperware container without permission.
Remaining performances at Performance Works on September 9 (9:30 p.m.), 11 (7 p.m.), 12 (7 p.m.), 15 (3 p.m.), 16 (5:45 p.m.) > David Johnston
This is a guest review.
David Johnston is a Vancouver-based actor, aerialist, and writer, not in that order. He recently hailed from the Edmonton Fringe, where he saw many excellent shows and also ate a green onion cake. The green onion cake got three-and-a-half stars. David is a recent graduate of Studio 58, and is currently writing a script about reviews, so this should be a rather meta experience. He’s delighted to join FRESH SHEET for the Vancouver Fringe.
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