Toronto Fringe Review: MONKS

Always be in prayer or service. Always. Unless it’s today. Today, we do nothing. 

MONKS, conceived and performed by Veronica Hortigüela and Annie Luján, is the tale of two monks who have been left alone at their monastery for the day. They’ve invited you, the audience, to come hang out with them, and do nothing. 

This show is far from nothing, however. Hortigüela and Luján play two Brothers who could not be more excited to have you, now also Brothers, here for the day. The two begin by addressing audience members to rename them as their appearance—Brother Stripes for someone in a striped shirt, Brother Tall for someone over six feet. Hortigüela and Luján really show off their improv skills here, quickly quipping back at random commentary and expertly making straight-faced jokes. 

Audience interaction is the core of this show. Hortigüela and Luján get everyone involved from talking with them, to delivering them props, to encouraging them to throw lentils at the stage. They are performing clown and performing it masterfully, or monasterfully, if you will—don’t worry, their puns are much better than mine.

The two bring about an energy that is infectious. I’m still giggling as I write this review hours later, thinking of the intensely creative way they formed a storm—extreme flailing, slipping, and the passing around of tinfoil and fake leaves. The show encourages silliness and is truly 60 minutes of laughing until your cheeks hurt. 

Although MONKS hopes to be about doing nothing, work and a lost donkey, in addition to the storm, make that impossible. It’s a whirlwind of chaos, extraordinary physical comedy, and improvisation, but also a wonderful sentiment of how important it is to do nothing with the people you love. 

MONKS is unlike any show I’ve seen before, and I would see it again. And again, and again. Hortigüela and Luján have an ingenious creation. 

MONKS is on now until July 14 as part of Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets.