For those who have always enjoyed those buddy action movies that Hollywood pumps out, “Ouch, That Hurts!” is a nice little Fringe hors d’oeuvres for your enjoyment. Running barely 30 minutes in length, this original comedy revolves around two soldiers in Iraq contending with sand, sergeants, scorpions, and terrorists.
Barry Mullins (Scott Parkinson) and Reggie Martin (Chris Amicault) are lifelong buddies. That means they can affectionately exchange the most profane of insults, call each other ethnic epithets, and recall resentments from grade school days, among other male bonding rituals. They also tend to complain nonstop, which ranks among the favorite pasttimes of soldiers.
In fairness, the two men have much about which to complain. Among the pests found in Iraq is Sergeant Bickers (Colin Hooker-Haring), who gratuitously insults the men while “volunteering” them for a dangerous patrol. When the two men face a threatening situation, he doesn’t want to hear about it if it will cause him more paperwork. This situation leads to the standard disclosure of secrets and revelations between the two soldiers, all of which are played for laughs.
Director Natalie Cutcher keeps the tempo high and orchestrates some nice nonverbal sequences underscored by hip-hop music. Sure, the play is lacking in military versimilitude and depth, but Parkinson and Amicault exchange some spirited and amusing banter. If you are looking for a comic change of pace in your Fringe viewing, “Ouch, That Hurts!” is easy to fit into your schedule.
“Ouch, That Hurts!”
Written by Jack Powers
Directed by Natalie Cutcher
Produced by The Jackass Players
Reviewed by Steven McKnight
Read all the reviews and check out the full Capital Fringe schedule here.
Did you see the show? What did you think?
Parkinson has an actor in him.
Curious costuming: soldiers are wearing Marine uniforms.
I saw Ouch that Hurts, it was excellently acted, very funny and it tug at your emotions if it wasn’t truthful to the military experience. The soldiers endured a lot of hardship, including having to put up with a jackass commander who didn’t want to work with them because it would mean paperwork for him. They were childhood friends. There were a few kids in the theatre which was nice, they were cute. Also, all three of the actors were incredibly attractive. I enjoyed watching them dance and slap each others booties. Eye candy always helps. My friend Yan, who is an exchange student was worried he would not understand American humor but he enjoyed himself. Also it wasn’t that long., very succinct, comic and endearing.
“Hors d’oeuvres” should be spelled hor d’oeuvre since it’s in the singular.