Fringe Review: AQUARIUS RISING, Pickle Studio at Greenside @ Riddles Court
Photo credit: Sami Sumaria
Aquarius Rising is a new queer one-person play written and performed by American actor, Ben Fallaci. It tells Fallaci’s story (although we’re never quite sure exactly how much of the story is true) of moving to LA to pursue his dreams of being an actor and navigating life as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
This story is one that could be gripping and have some interesting things to say about navigating the modern world but it doesn’t feel like a one-person play is the best way to tell the story. A fuller drama, whether on stage or in a TV series, where we get to see Fallaci’s relationships with his friends, love interest and colleagues play out, rather than just be told about them, could have been far more impactful and engaging. There are so many one-person shows at the Fringe and this one, neither in Fallaci’s writing or Gretchen Egolf’s direction, has a clear framing device - we don’t really know why this story is being told to us.
As a performer, Fallaci is engaging, particularly when he gets to lean into moments of higher emotional intensity or when he gets to be slightly ridiculous and funny. Much of the narration of action in the earlier scenes unfortunately feels quite one-note. He is perhaps not helped by the fact that he is towering above us (he is a very tall actor on a high stage) so we’re looking up at him a lot of the time, rather than feeling like we’re sitting with him having a conversation.
Ben Fallaci clearly has interesting stories to tell and reflections to make on the modern world - the initial seeds of something that could be great are definitely present. We look forward to seeing what Fallaci could be capable of with a bigger stage, a bigger budget and a bigger cast at his disposal.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Jacob Bush