NAPOLEON'S SECRET DIARY
Reviews from the Winnipeg Fringe Festival
Monster Theatre's one-man show, Napoleon's Secret Diary, is everything
a history lesson usually isn't. Oozing with a sexy French accent, writer
and performer Ryan Gladstone delivers an interactive and entertaining
show as he takes us through a humorous and quirky recall of the life,
love and battles of famed leader Napoleon. Known for creative, exciting
and comedic productions -- Jesus Christ: The Lost Years, Confessions
of a Class Clown -- Monster Theatre once again delivers a comedic performance
that will be a Fringe favourite. Laugh-out-loud drama, complete with
a streamlined set design, simple props and Gladstone's interpretation
of Napoleon makes for an original and entertaining history lesson.
Sun
Rating: 4 out of 5
Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma - Winnipeg Sun
So why did Napoleon keep his hand tucked in his jacket like that?
Apparently, to hide his secret diary - the one where he reveals he
was just a timid guy who wanted to be left alone, but blundered into
military genius. Okay, so maybe this show isn’t completely historically
accurate, but Napoleon’s Secret Diary is one of the most sure-fire
hours of fun you’ll find at the Fringe. Following Napoleon from
childhood to his final days, we see Napoleon go from the pursuit of “life,
liberty, and long, skinny loaves of bread” to “life, liberty,
and world domination.” Writer/performer Ryan Gladstone plays
the little general with vulnerability, total charm, and dead-on comic
chops (his Napoleon comes off as the love child of Inspector Clouseau
and Andy Kaufman’s Latka from Taxi). He’s silly enough
for the kids to enjoy, skilled enough for the grown-ups to appreciate.
And yes, though it’s played (to great effect) for laughs, if
you’re not careful, you actually will learn history and stuff.
From start to a surprisingly touching ending, this hour flies by. Go,
and pass this secret on to your friends - they’ll thank you for
it.
CBC Rating: Five Bars Reviewed by: Joff Schmidt
Napoleon’s Secret Diary
EYE WEEKLY's Review
The stage design consists of red, white and blue drapes symbolizing
the French flag, yet the five-foot-nothing of a conqueror — performed
by the energetic Ryan Gladstone in a 19th-century militaristic Napoleon
costume, complete with black knee-high boots — works wonders in
this minimalist setting. Gladstone’s delivery in this extremely
funny period-pop piece infuses imagination, laughter and a strong vision
into an entertaining giant performance. Napoleon’s Secret Diary
is high energy, full of panache, puns, some dirty French humour and
everything in between that makes this once-hated dictator into a lovable
goon. Chris
Jai Centeno
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