The Fever is an intensely direct one woman show playing at the back space of the Theatre Passe Muraille that takes a reality check on what it means to be human in the heart of adversity. Bringing to light themes of social injustice, the division of status between the haves and the have-nots, this monologue story is a uniquely eye-opening performance at this year’s SummerWorks festival.

Katie Swift is the focal point of this production. Her story finds her on the floor of a bathroom in a run-down hotel, in a country in the middle of social upheaval where no one speaks her language.

In her recollection, she’s not feeling too well – shivering and doubled over on the cold bathroom tile. Her mind wanders in and out of her current situation to her recent experiences where she is faced with the life of the poor, the life of the wealthy, and the barriers that exist between the two worlds.

Katie does a great job of capturing the audience with the right amount of intensity and purpose in her speech, keeping it conversational and not over the top. I have to admit that I did find it difficult to follow along entirely as over an hour of watching a woman speak while seated is not the most visually stunning. Your eyes don’t have much reason to travel.

But her subject matter is relevant and worth a listen in this award winning performance. If you’re looking for an introspective discussion on our society today, a story that will make you reconsider the role you play in the lives of others, than be sure to check out The Fever.

Details

• The Fever is playing at the Theatre Passe Muraille back space (16 Ryerson Ave).
• Performances are Wednesday the 15th at 4:30 pm, Thursday the 16th at 9:30 pm, Saturday the 18th at 9:30 pm, Sunday the 19th at 2 pm.
• All individual SummerWorks tickets are $15 at the door (cash only). Tickets are available online at ticketwise.ca, by phone by calling the Lower Ossington Box Office at 416-915-6747, in person at the Lower Ossington Box Office (located at 100A Ossington Avenue) Mon. – Sun. 12 pm – 7 pm (Advance tickets are $15 + service fee)
• Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 3 shows.