What I liked
This show delivers because Ker isn’t trying to perform, it’s just him. He asks for the houselights to be brought up so he can see and engage with his audiences, immediately breaking the ceremonial aspect that a performance can have, and instead invites you to something more special, a real conversation rather than just a running monologue. And when he gets to those life altering moments, it’s incredibly gripping.
What I didn't like
While I enjoyed the relaxed vibe of his storytelling, I wish there had been slightly more of a structure to the overall piece. It took quite sometime before we got to the “birthday” running theme, with previous story elements seeming just a little scattered. Overall, he ties it all in very nicely and his sheer honesty and vulnerability was incredible to watch.
My overall impression
In the hustle of Fringe, BIRTHDAY offers such a personal and honest conversation about one man’s experiences that have tested his resolve to keep going in search for that “larger than life” feeling we all get to experience so few times in our lives. And all of those events tend to coincide with past birthdays! One minute Ker has the audience roaring with laughter, and the next in hushed silence as we process his pain.
