Toronto Fringe Review: One Night Only

If you were to play a drinking game of one-person show tropes, you’d be drunk by the time Nicholas Eddie tilts his head upwards and curses god. 

One Night Only is a fascinating show. It’s not cohesive, but thanks to Eddie’s charismatic performance you’re never bored. There are moments of real brilliance, and even though many of the monologues and character pieces aren’t particularly original, Eddie makes it work. He is an incredibly versatile performer, the audience clings to his every movement and he can artfully manipulate the audience to laugh at things that aren’t funny or cheer for things that should be booed.

It’s not a play so much as a nihilistic poetry recital wrapped around the conceit that hopelessness is endemic. Characters talk in manifestos or buzzwords, cynicism drips from every word he says - including the land acknowledgement. One Night Only never moves past cynicism. Which is fine. I’m not saying that cynicism doesn’t belong in art, I just don’t know if we need to marinate in it. 

There’s a moment at the end where Eddie hits a fever pitch of beautiful theatricality, but it’s wasted with a denouement that’s pitch black. 

I’m sure that some people will take umbrage with this show. I can’t wholeheartedly disagree with that. It deals with suicide in a way that’s incredibly real - the darkness, the hopelessness, the mania - and it’s at times far too painful for anyone who can recognize that. 

One Night Only is on now until July 15 as part of the Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets.