Otto & Astrid – Eurosmash!

Salvador Dinosaur—WECC – Ventura Hall

I caught these two their first time here and have been back every year. It is a Fringe tradition, not to be missed. We were especially pleased that they took the time to make this a totally new show. Astrid makes the most of her drum kit, with Otto on electric guitar. I love the energy, humour and just plain fun the supposedly bro and sis team always deliver. Some of the shtick is the same. Otto falls for an attractive gal in the audience and jealous Astrid takes her on. Astrid lusts after a male audience member and her lewd suggestions for after the show are too funny. The music ain’t bad either. I always love to see the new, totally outrageous outfit that Astrid selects a lucky fellow to partially remove. She outdoes herself each year. As my hubby remarked, Astrid moves more agilely on stage than her bro, and she is not a tiny woman. Her moves with her drum stool were absolutely acrobatic and hilarious. If you are prepared to rock and romp, this is the show for you. I guarantee you will leave with a smile on your face. Make time for fun and go see this Fringe favorite!

Just a comment about this venue and the Dramatic Arts Centre across the street. I am privileged to hang with the performers and I listen to what they say. For some reason these three venues are not getting the houses they merit. I don’t know if people fear the neighborhood or feel it is out of the way, but with the extremely high caliber of the artists at the three combined venues (2 at WECC) there is no reason to stay away. With all of TJ Dawe, Shoestring Theatre (Waiting For the Parade), How I Lost One Pound, The Musical, Hey 90’s Kids, You’re Old, Penny Ashton, Die Roten Punkte, Sword Play, Drunk Girl, and The Ballad of Frank Allen to choose from it makes this a prime spot to stay all day and night. There is also lots of unmetered parking. Some of the best of the Fringe is here and they seem to be being ignored. The area is full of Fringers and great restaurants and it’s up to us to support these great artists wherever their venue happens to be! Let’s not disappoint them or yourselves by missing what’s here.

Lisa Campbell