‘Keep’ Review: Daniel Kitson Takes Inventory

This show is challenging and it is not perfect. But how often are we challenged? Isn't it worth it to be left puzzling over choices and engaging with ideas of narrative and self knowledge at the cost of, what? I think people don't like this because it is so original. Kitson's manic monologue embedds a narrative voice which, with eerie precision, describes our reaction in real time to what he's just said. He's like an emotional chemist who knows what results will come from what compounds he puts out in the atmosphere and even as we feel them, he gives them precise expression. Does this happen to you enough that it is worth skipping because sometimes the format requires more concentration than you feel ready to give at ten on a week night?

Daniel Kitson is a rarity in theater and comedy and a force of nature to watch. “Keep” - like all of his shows - is full of wonderful moments that enlighten, and then mock your brief enlightenment. It’s demanding to listen to, but worth every minute. Yes, it’s a performance and scripted, but he always makes you feel like maybe he’s just winging it (and sometimes he clearly is.) Forget the premise of the show (which he mocks anyway..) and just enjoy the fact that Kitson reveals more about life in 2 hours then you’ll get anywhere else. And you’ll laugh for at least 1/2 of the time. Do the math, or don’t do the math, but don’t miss this comic wonder at work!

I enjoyed the whimsey of the show for ninety minutes or so, but by 9:41, as checked with an audience member, I was no longer charmed. At 9:56, also checked, I was hoping for just a few more minutes. But on it went, until 10:25 with no intermission. May the show be tightened up or an intermission offered so that a choice to escape can be made.

"You've been warned." If this is brilliant, it's brilliance is in some measure merely clever audience manipulation. But, credit given to Mr. Kitson, there are some 'aha!' moments. But he tried to convince us near the end that none of what he told us would turn out to be true. He vaguely tells us the whole thing is 'metaphor.' Who ever thought or cared his ramblings would be true? But they never reached the heights of metaphor. At the onset the audience is told they can leave immediately and obtain a refund. But the ground has been laid that once he begins -- and then you want to leave -- you will be mocked. Sound like Dadaism? If only ...

Regarding "The walkouts came later." I'm trying to wrap my mind around anyone happening to make their way to St. Ann's Warehouse, and finding a show there so different than what you went out of your way to see, that you walk out. Can you get to St. Ann's Warehouse by accident without knowing what show you're going to and wanting to see it? Is there an audience that just feels empowered by saying "I walked out" or "The was 45 minutes that I'm never getting back again, so I cut my losses." My spouse saw "Moulin Rouge" non-premium but even that is still $199 (for EACH ticket) - and he said at this weekday matinee, there were lots of over-age-50 people who left at intermission. How had they gotten there for such hard-to-get pricy seats and find anything other than what they'd heard it was going to be? (The friend he went with confirmed this. They were carrying their coats, and did not get lost on the way to or from the rest rooms.)