Toronto Fringe Review: Carson & Taylor Promise To Do A Bunch Of Flips
Photo by Paul Aihoshi
With the recent reboot of the Canadian classic, The Kids in the Hall, sketch comedy is back on the rise. Anyone on the search for some sketch, some comedy, and lots of flips, would be happy to catch Carson & Taylor Promise to do a Bunch of Flips in action.
To answer the question on everyone’s mind, Carson Pinch and Taylor Davis are prepared to deliver 60-minutes of flips and action. However, these flips are not all they may seem. As self-proclaimed performers with bad bodies, some death-defying tricks are substituted with logic-defying humour.
In true sketch comedy fashion, the show is peppered with various unconnected segments. Then, in an unconventional twist, this show truly shines by using one uniting theme and bringing recurring characters into the fray. But, as these characters and sketches roll out, there are extended pauses that bring about a decrease in energy. Yet, they can’t be blamed, stunts are physical labour (and breaks are totally mandatory).
Rigorous training in the art of flipping is an expensive endeavour, which must have emptied their wallets. However, the sparse use of stage pieces is creatively combated by a tasteful selection of sound effects. Through the sounds of beer pouring, rumbling, and music, attendees are effortlessly guided through the entertaining narratives.
The onstage comedy is equally facilitated by the team’s offstage counterparts, Paul Bates and Andrea Miller. Bates and Miller are the magic behind the curtains as musical cues are followed and lighting changes are snappy, hinting at their handiwork.
While there are stumbles in dialogue and confusion in actions, it's to be expected in an early run of the show. Despite the bumps along the way, any enjoyer of playful comedy can expect to flip-out at a performance of Carson & Taylor Promise to do a Bunch of Flips.
Carson & Taylor Promise to do a Bunch of Flips is on now until July 16 as part of the 2022 Toronto Fringe Festival. Find show times and tickets here.
This is a review of what might have been!