Fringe Review: A Doll's House (No Relation) a murderous tale retold emphatically
Stage 4, Walterdale Theatre, 10322 83 Ave.
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True crime is incredibly popular with endless podcasts, Netflix specials and cable documentaries retelling horrific events in gruesome detail.
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But what if the story was being told not by a detached, monotone host but by the murderer themselves? A Doll's House (No Relation) brings us into the mind of a sociopath for a firsthand account.
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To start, it's important to note this show has nothing to do with Henrik Ibsen's incredibly popular play from the late 19th Century. This is something completely new, hence the title (No Relation).
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Instead, it's the story of Doll, a self-obsessed serial killer seeking outside validation for their crimes. They want to be known as the best serial killer, the greatest of their time, spoken of in the same breath as Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy or Jeffrey Dahmer.
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Doll has come prepared with a slide show and props, a tiny dollhouse with a representation in miniature of their crimes to date. It's gruesome and gory, a graphic diorama that is, fortunately, too small to imprint real drama on the audience. They spend 60 minutes gleefully recounting their murderous spree.
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A Doll's House (No Relation) is exactly what you would expect from the title. Madeline Podlubny jumps around on stage as Doll, at times cold and calculating and frantic at others. She does great with the material, but it feels a bit thin.
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Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The new Netflix documentary 'Devo' is an eye-opening examination of an Ohio-born art-rock band that argues they were perhaps the most misunderstood band on the face of the planet. It debuts on the streaming service Tuesday. 'We were trivialized and pigeonholed,' co-founder Gerald Casale tells The Associated Press. 'This documentary allows us to talk about what we were thinking and what we are motivated by to create what we created.' 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