Jan 31

Jan 31 FRINGE REVIEW: "SHARK!" is lighting in a bottle

When entering a Fringe show, a contract is agreed; the audience agrees to offer their attention, an open mind, and a willingness to be thrilled. In exchange, the performers agree to bring spectacle, campiness, wit and at least a little skin. In experiencing SHARK! by HOT GIRLS, the contract is well and truly honoured.

We are introduced to the tumultuous tale of a Syfy Mega Shark-esque D-Movie film production, and get a peek behind the scenes at what really went down when Girl (Delaney Burke), Shark (an actual Shark played by Clea Purkis) and Director (Lucy Wong) caught lightning in a bottle for this cult classic.

If Airplane! taught us anything, it was that comedy thrives when the performers are unwavering in their sincerity no matter the ludicrousness of the premise. All three HOT GIRLS hit their marks in telling this story, delivering every 28 Sharks Later pun, cigarette-drag interrupted monologue, and even a flawless rendition of the Charleston with finessed bravado.

Clever use is made of live-feed cameras, reminiscent of local powerhouse The Last Great Hunt (who get a thank you in the credits). Beneath the surface of the oceanic puns, fake goatee and blow-up pool toys, there is an element of earnestness and a rewarding plot line, when we see an initially terse relationship between Girl and Shark develop into a comradeship based on shared experiences, common ground and a mutual disdain for Director and his strangely familiar Assistant, Creg.

Equal parts silly, sharp, unique and pure fun, SHARK! will have you hooked from the outset. This show is sure to tick many boxes for anyone seeking a genuine and upbeat Fringe adventure, and maybe even ignite a desire to rewatch Mega Shark Versus Colossus (but this time with a soft spot for Mega Shark)