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And now for something totally different.
The Penticton Art Gallery is presenting the unique talents of United Kingdom actor Charles Ross, who will be starring in two one-man shows next week at the Cleland Theatre in Penticton.
The first is a tribute to one of the most popular movie series in history, while the second is a parody of a hugely-popular Netflix science fiction series.
Ross will perform One Man Lord of the Rings next Tuesday, Nov. 13 and One Man Stranger Things on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
The funds raised from these shows support the ongoing educational programs of the Penticton Art Gallery.
Ross is an internationally renowned actor and the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival staple, said Penticton Art Gallery curator Paul Crawford, in a news release.
Over the past 20 years, Ross has toured his unique theater performances to sold our crowds across the globe and his shows sell out every summer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Ross grew up in the 1980s, addicted to adventure movies. He went on to co-create a number of parody shows, including One Man Lord of the Rings which got the official seal of approval from Sir Ian McKellen and One Man Star Wars, which has been performed over 1,200 times in more than 180 cities across four continents.
His latest show single-handedly recreates season one of the Netflix sensation Stranger Things with all the characters, dialogue, special effects and music in one superb, upside-down show, said Crawford.
In both performances he performs all the all the characters with no sets or costumes, just physical theatre, he said.
The inexhaustible actor races through the J.R.R. Tolkien canon using no costumes or special effects, yet captures the sweeping adventure of the movie trilogy into a 70-minute romp through the sheer force of his nerdiness, which is powerful indeed, said Crawford.
Watching the affable actor bop from hobbits to elves is a bit like watching an over-caffeinated toddler re-enact his favourite cartoon, said Crawford.
You don’t get all of the details, but you get the gist and it’s all terribly endearing, he said.
Not knowing the films going in is not detrimental, but means some jokes will be lost in translation, he said.
His interpretation is faithful, very funny and poignant in equal measure, making this experience a homecoming for the Middle-earth obsessive, he said.
“Having watched the extended versions numerous times these characterizations are definitely more homages than impersonations, which go by at such lightning speed that a mere approximation is all you get,” said Crawford.
Drenched in sweat, clad in his usual jumpsuit, the performer gives his all for his craft, he said.
Ross doesn’t miss a step in his tribute to the science fiction Netflix blockbuster Stranger Things.
While physically moving through the 75-minute plot playing dozens of characters and seamlessly changing voice, action and stature within seconds.
Ross captivates the audience from his opening title sequence to the end of the plot and his hopes for the future of the show, said Crawford.
Ross morphs into the young kids, the adults, the monsters and even himself effortlessly throughout the show making the quick-paced piece easy to follow. Lighting effects also help set the differing moods and locations.
By the end, Ross is still alone on stage – dripping in sweat – and yet somehow still not at a loss of breath, he said.
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. both nights, with the shows set to start at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students.
Tickets can be purchased at the door (cash only) or in advance at the Penticton Art Gallery or by calling the gallery at 250-493-2928.
For more on the Penticton Art Gallery, click here.