Okie Dokie

Physically Speaking—Cre8ery

Often the best humour is the kind where no words are required (Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, etc.). This is where the clowning talents of the actor carry the action, and the humour emerges. This is the case with “Okie Dokie”, a largely non-verbal bit of physical comedy from the talented and enthusiastic Ardyth Johnson. Using only a few words of dialogue, sound cues, and her amazingly adept facial expressions, Ardyth tells the story of a lonely woman inadvertently assigned the task of raising a completely unseen (but nevertheless very present) alien baby. Madcap insanity abounds, and she takes us on a journey which is both frantic and endearing, all without ever leaving the confines of the intimate stage setting. It’s difficult to sustain this sort of thing over an extended period of time, but Ardyth is a seasoned performer with fantastic skills; it’s hard not to become wrapped up in the (deliberately) cartoony adventure. There’s even a surprisingly touching and heartfelt conclusion. Just like its hapless heroine, “Okie Dokie” deserves some love. Go and check it out.

Mike Seccombe

Okie Dokie

Physically Speaking—Cre8ery

This is a nice break from heavier emotional one person plays. Sort of an amuse-bouche for your psyche. Utilizing physical theatre, clown (no makeup or red nose, so hopefully no Coulrophobia triggers) and well performed mime to tell Margaret’s story of becoming an unwitting mother to a baby alien. There is still plenty of emotion involved, which shows how good Ardyth Johnson is at her craft.

Murray Hunter

Okie Dokie

Physically Speaking—Cre8ery

Meet Margaret, a lonely Elvis worshipper living her humdrum existence until her life is turned upside-down by a close encounter of the third kind. An extra-terrestrial baby left at her doorstep. Ardyth Johnson expertly uses clown, physical theatre, and mime to tell this sweet story of bringing up baby, and the truly alien experience that it is. Some technical glitches, but otherwise a funny and cartoony show in this intimate space. Well worth it.

Karl Eckstrand