Reviews - Fringe 2014

Fringe Review: Life Through Fire

By Ryan McGreal
Published July 20, 2014

The set
The set

Camilla MacIntosh (Heather Baer) is nearing the end of an eventful and tragedy-filled life.

Haunted by the husband she lost decades ago, Camilla realizes she must have one last conversation with Henry (Dan Sanderson), the troubled, complicated man who changed the entire trajectory of her life when they met in a military hospice in Dresden during the Second World War.

Weighed down by the secrets she has had to keep, alienated from her own daughter, stripped of the promise of happiness and peace, Camilla finally finds the courage to unload her long burden on Henry's ghost.

Baer carries the show through a long monologue, interspersed with flash-backs to her memories of times spent with her husband.

Their story is shocking and sorrowful, and Baer's brave, emotionally naked performance commands a reverent silence from the audience.

Sanderson wears the weight of his own tragedy with heavy sincerity: a good man broken by terrible events, struggling to do justice to the woman who loves and cares for him.

Don't be surprised by a few tears, especially through the harrowing climax.

Ryan McGreal, the editor of Raise the Hammer, lives in Hamilton with his family and works as a programmer, writer and consultant. Ryan volunteers with Hamilton Light Rail, a citizen group dedicated to bringing light rail transit to Hamilton. Ryan wrote a city affairs column in Hamilton Magazine, and several of his articles have been published in the Hamilton Spectator. His articles have also been published in The Walrus, HuffPost and Behind the Numbers. He maintains a personal website, has been known to share passing thoughts on Twitter and Facebook, and posts the occasional cat photo on Instagram.

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By BobbyR35 (anonymous) | Posted July 28, 2014 at 15:58:24

Simply a treat.

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