Racy Billy

Weird house last night for Billy. Quiet in many places and apparently a few parents grabbed their children and left in a huff. The kids in the playground behind the set were being particularly bratty, (as is their right of course), and one of the playground sentinels was wearing dark glasses and looked like a Skam bodyguard. He was also standing in full light and occasionally staring off into space instead of at the proceedings. An icon of dutiful boredom. Throw in the heat and the celebratory, flag-waving soccer honkers from up and down Dufferin Ave and you have yourself an unfocussed audience. The skamsters held it together though. It was a good show, despite everything.

The other key thing that happened, I think, was the fact that Jane, who introduces the show from atop her stilts, normally provides a witty content-warning to the parents before the show. It seems to have the result of relaxing the parents and allowing them to think the show is for them at the end of an evening geared towards their children. Last night though, Jane was tired and running behind and did not give her warning. So instead of anticipation, tittilation and charm, there was shock and disgruntlement. In the seven years of Billy Nothin''s life (with long breaks), it was perhaps the most unresponsive audience of them all...

Ah well.

ps here are some pics and a review from the 99 Vancouver production of Billy Nothin', behind Wonderbucks on Commercial Drive.