Big in Germany (Ten Foot Pole Productions) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review

By Michelle Barker

A band that Canadians have never heard of hits the Toronto Fringe
You’ve probably never heard of the band All Powers, but they’re really big in Germany.  Ten Foot Pole Productions, known most recently for their production of Fucking Stephen Harper, has returned to the Toronto Fringe with another show to amuse, entertain, and potentially offend men and women of all ages.

At its heart, Big in Germany is a classic rags-to-riches, coming-of-age, coming out story with subplots about pornography thrown in.  The play’s main characters, Alex and Bruce, set out to become international Rockstars in hopes of obtaining loads of cash, loads of women, and fame.  Unfortunately for them, their music isn’t appreciated outside of their German-based fanbase.

I have to mention that the show is packed with jokes that would have made no sense to me if I would have been born a few years after I was, but references to Canadian bands, local hotspots, and Rick the Temp will make the show hilarious for anyone born before 1989 and living in Toronto.

Admittedly, I was a bit overwhelmed by the emotional sappiness of the play’s climax, but I thought that the majority of the show was clever and laugh-out-loud funny.  It’s probably not a show to which I would take my parents (coincidentally, I’m 98% sure that I was sitting next to the playwright’s parents), but grab a few of your friends and check out Big in Germany before the festival ends.

Big in Germany is playing at the Tarragon Theatre Main Space (30 Bridgman Ave)
– Performance times
Sat, July 3 11:00 PM
Mon, July 5 2:45 PM
Tue, July 6 5:15 PM
Thu, July 8 9:45 PM
Fri, July 9 1:45 PM
Sun, July 11 3:30 PM
– All individual Fringe tickets are $10 ($5 for FringeKids) at the door (cash only),  Online at www.fringetoronto.com, by Phone at 416-966-1062, in person (June 30 – July 11 only) at The Randolph Centre for the Arts, 736 Bathurst Street (Advance tickets are $11 ($10+$1 convenience fee), and $5 for FringeKids (no convenience fee for kids tickets).
– Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows