REVIEW: FELT CUTE, MIGHT OVERSHARE LATER!

What do you do when your most embarrassing stories are also your best ones? You get a puppet to tell them for you. Felt Cute, Might Overshare Later! is a solo comedy confessional where Kristi Boulton and her felt alter-ego revisit a lifetime of cringeworthy childhood catastrophes and romantic misfires. The puppet has no shame. The woman has plenty.

Boulton returns to Fringe this summer after two extremely successful Fringe productions of The Underwear Fairy (And Other Love Stories) and Unsolicited: Good Advice Gone Dad. Like with these two previous efforts, Boulton’s ability to effectively describe her circumstances and build the audience up should become a masterclass session for budding storytellers and performers. Her ability to paint a picture with words is unmatched. Both Kristi’s (human and puppet) are uproariously funny and engage with the audience with ease; a clear demonstration of Boulton’s talents as an improv artist and natural storyteller.

The puppetry skill is at a professional level, which should come as no surprise as Boulton has played the role of Kate Monster twice in local productions of Avenue Q. The balance between when each version of Kristi narrates is well-planned and allows for the less comedic moments to be delivered with noticeable seriousness, bravery and self-reflection. Many of these moments allow for the puppet Kristi to comfort human Kristi which has an authentic impact as you watch her assess, accept and forgive themselves for past decisions and recognize that what was once an embarrassing part of their life can eventually turn humourous and worth sharing with others. The concept of embarrassment having layers is well-explored and is quite touching, especially when the past shame transforms into a sense of pride.

If you’ve seen Kristi Boulton perform in any of her impressive theatrical endeavors, you will be delighted by Felt Cute, Might Overshare Later. It is masterful example of storytelling prowess at the Hamilton Fringe Festival and is guaranteed to be an audience favourite. Give yourself permission to be embarrassing. Don’t miss it!