How did that happen?
Defending The Caveman is a glorified stand up routine about the differences between men and women, and that's about it. It's NOT a play.
Running at just over an hour, the piece is broken up into two parts, separated by an unnecessary intermission. The two halves are essentially the same, with the same thing to say: men and women are different. Who knew, huh?
Men don't talk about their feelings, women talk too much about their feelings, men are hunters and women are gatherers. Men like their space, women like to talk - I could go on, but you get the idea. It's a novel approach for a short skit about the sexes, but it all gets trivial and boring after a while. Even with updated references (Britney Spears recent pregnancy, for one) the show is rather old and dated. This time around, Canadian Michael Van Osch takes on the role that Rob Becker created and performed on Broadway, and brings his own humour, physicality and charm to the role.
The audience at the Diesel Playhouse, made up of mostly couples and large groups of people, ate the show up, and for pretty good reason. The routine had it's moments, and the audience relates to the stories because they are true and well, they can relate. Seeing the show alone is probably not the best idea, as you don't have anyone to look to and say "see what I mean??" everytime Van Osch delivers a punch line or a finishes his point.
Van Osch does a great job at holding our attention, and has some really funny moments, and is really the only interesting thing about the show. There are hardly any production elements involved, except a chair, laundry hamper, a TV, and a couple of cave paintings - one of a man, and one of a woman. It's all rather unimportant, as Van Osch is responsible for carrying the show on his shoulders. Thank goodness - they seem to be able to carry all that dead weight.
If you want to see a good show, go elsewhere. If you want to see a good stand up routine, go elsewhere.
This Caveman should have become exinct a long time ago.
Defending The Caveman
By Rob Becker
Starring Michael Van Osch
Now playing at the Diesel Playhouse, Toronto until November 26th.
For show information, click here.
** (out of five)
