by Mallory Moad

This is the first of our show reviews for Rogue 2022! More to come. Due to the recent redesign over here on KRL all of our preview articles and our Rogue Festival event page have been posted over on KRL News and Reviews! You can find all of those articles, including some performer preview articles, by clicking here! You can find our Rogue Festival event page here. For more information be sure to check out the Rogue Festival website. Be sure to check out their website for their current Covid safety policies.

Although Tim Mooney’s Rogue Festival offering, Breakneck Comedy of Errors is billed as a one-man show, this skilled performer single-handedly fills the stage with a complete cast of characters in this delightful romp through Shakespeare’s classic comedy.

As usual with Tim’s productions, the stage is nearly bare. A large map of the geographic area in which the story is set provides more than a reference. It also hides Tim’s table of assorted accessories and props (and half of his body) from view. Only his torso is visible, effectively transforming him into a human puppet. The Bard meets Punch and Judy? You bet!

Tim’s style is energetic, not to be confused with manic. He never stoops to pointless zaniness for the sake of a laugh. Along with hats, he uses his voice and body to bring at least 16 characters (including two sets of twins) to life in rapid-fire succession. Accents, gestures, posture, and attitudes define each one with distinct, often hilarious personalities. A courtesan who would have felt at home in a Tennessee Williams piece had me in stitches from the get-go.

Tim obviously loves Shakespeare but there is no pedestal here. As he gleefully points out the silly aspects of the plot, one feels a sense of affection rather than disrespect. He has the ability to narrow the story down to key elements and characters without sacrificing the integrity of the play itself.

Tim Mooney is a personable performer with an infectious enthusiasm for his craft that comes across loud and clear, and his Breakneck Comedy of Errors is a kick in the pants I highly recommend.

Breakneck Comedy of Errors is playing on Saturday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m. at Vista Theater. Tickets can be purchased online on the Rogue Festival website.

Watch our Rogue Festival section for more reviews to go up over the next few days!

Mallory Moad is a visual/performance artist, vocalist in the jazz band Scats on The Sly and a proud Central San Joaquin Valley native.