Who: Local Rascal Productions
What: BOOKMARKS
Length: 60 minutes
Where: Staircase Theatre Studio Theatre (27 Dundurn Street North)
When: July 21-31 as part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival
Tickets: $12 + $1.75 fee at https://boxoffice.hftco.ca/event/866:618/
They say a picture paints 1,000 words but the words spoken throughout BOOKMARKS can paint 1,000 pictures.
BOOKMARKS is a performance both written and presented by Canadian singer-songwriter, Corin Raymond. In this memoir, a follow up to Raymond’s Bookworm monologue, he shares stories from his life and how they’ve all in some way revolved around books – the journey they can take you on, and the messages they can have.
The warm-toned lighting shining from floor level and the cool-toned lighting shining from the ceiling adds to the immediately relaxing and intimate atmosphere created by Raymond. While there are, naturally, audience seats and a stage setup, Raymond projects in a way that makes you feel as if he’s telling you a story in the comfort of your own home. The classic literary references are enough to make any bookworm swoon while watching, but the metaphors created using his childhood memories and lessons from literature make this show a must-see.
On top of his ability to effortlessly switch between giving a performance and talking to the audience like they’re an old friend, Raymond’s creative alliterations, humorous but powerful one-liners before taking a sip of water, and his stage presence will leave BOOKMARKS-goers itching to know what the next chapter has in store for him.
