Vulnerable. That seemed to be an accurate word to describe this one-man show written and performed by Chris Earle, recounting his childhood, his mother and her unique quirks as well as his love for CBC radio. This was also brought up when interviewing the amazing performer, who exclaimed that vulnerability in sharing his childhood with the strangers coming to see him was probably the biggest challenge in producing the show.
The performance itself was partly an ode to his mother, partly an appreciation of the radio, specifically “from coast to coast’s this is CBC music.” The story was easy to follow, with Chris performing himself as a child, the voice of his mother, various CBC hosts (all quirkier than the next), etc. The different CBC shows really added another dimension to his production, akin to a childhood friend which followed him his whole life. Many audience members older in age, could totally relate to Montreal in the ’70s and ’80s and seemed to remember exactly the different personalities at the helm of CBC segments, and they were often laughing along. Perhaps it was because they related to them, but as someone born in the 2000s, I was in tears of laughter almost as much as they were.
Mr. Earl, who was performing alone, really did not need anyone else on stage with him as his confidence drew people in. His diction was truly clear, like a radio host, and the writing was so fresh that all were invested in his life story. The way he captured different ages and people was accurately done, and it did not require too much work to picture the scene. His enthusiasm for the craft was well captured!
During our interview, Mr. Earl revealed that if audiences were to leave with one thing from the show, it would be to “see his mother Donnie not just as he saw her, but as she was.” This duality of the role between being a parent and being a person was aptly captured in Donnie and Me and the CBC, and audiences were able to understand a woman whose master’s thesis was a mess, but whose dedications in her grandchildren’s books were at least as poetic as the writers she admired. Chris revealed to the audience that his goal was to always make his mother laugh, and she would have certainly laughed at this beautiful tribute to her and the CBC.
Donnie and Me and the CBC was part of the Montreal Fringe Festival, which ended on June 15. Info about all shows HERE. To see our previous reviews, check out Meat Factory : Mommy, Homecumming, The Routine, Colonial Circus, Jem Rolls Adventures in Canadian Parking Lots (review Levine), Harlem of the North, To Pieces, Jem Rolls Adventures in Canadian Parking Lots (review Fuerst), A Love Unbecoming, Poz, Inconvenient Dragons, The Heterosexuals, and Enmeshed.
