Dads. Even when you win the lotto and get the greatest one, they are complex and messy creatures.
With a little bit of therapy, some audience participation, a 10-minute stand-up set by a different comedian each show and a whole lot of care, creator and performer Taylor Trowbridge creates a warm space for audiences to celebrate these foundational creatures.
There are no rose-coloured glasses or expectations of an ideal dad. Trowbridge creates a picture of her own father that is tempestuous, fun and ultimately a devastating enigma.
When she asked the audience to share memories of their fathers, without pressure to participate, people enthusiastically shared.
Peppered throughout, Trowbridge asked the audience to raise their hands if the statement rings true: “My dad had a temper,” “My dad was creative,” “My dad can fuck off.” The end result was an ephemeral constellation of relationships and intersections.
Dads is a heartwarming celebration of life with imperfect people. In their presence, absence, or anything in between, Trowbridge reminds us that none of us are alone in our individual relationships (or lack of relationships) with the men that helped bring us into existence.
DADS plays at VideoCabaret’s Deanne Taylor Theatre until July 10.
