Review: (Ottawa) Fucking Carl (Fringe)

Les Lavigueurs and Trailer Park Boys come to mind

by Sonia Blanchette

Of the few francophone performances being presented at Fringe this year, I definitely did not know what to expect. 

Through an ad on Kijiji, Jay/Jason (Caroline Yergeau) meets Jess/Jessica (Louis-Philippe Roy) to discuss the sale of her gran-pa's pick-up truck. A hot romance quickly ensues, no thanks to the Blue 24-pack they just polished off.  

Is it wrong of me to say that a mix of Les Lavigueurs and Trailer Park Boys came to mind? Where the locals in bum-fuck nowhere Quebec* or Ontario (or insert locale here) can't wait for the yearly poutine fest, carnival rides and Monster Truck rally to come to town?  

As simpletons with a sudden opportunity of introducing a 'kid' into their lives, they strive not to only persuade themselves but also the audience that they are a respectable, deserving and loving couple. Their re-enactments of pivotal events in their relationship to convince you of just this are bang on.  

Having lived in * for a good part of my teenage years, I so related. How could I not? Waking up in the bed of a pick-up truck after a well liquored night - no, not ever! 

There's nothing wrong with simple living and loving just as long as you are happy. And if your convictions are solid, who are we to judge if someone is worthy of parenthood?

Both masterfully portray a complicated yet comical relationship - Caroline and Louis-Philippe perform wholeheartedly. Couples young, old, franco, anglo or otherwise, will relate to the struggles and challenges. Four years crammed into 65 minutes flew by and didn't disappoint. The venue was particularly quaint and made the connection much more special. 

June 19 - 29