2012 Toronto Fringe Festival: Help Yourself

“Right does not exist,” the slick, fast-talking Donny (Daniel Pagett) tells his disturbed and confused client Ted (Tim Walker) in Kat Sandler’s Help Yourself, now playing at the George Ignatieff Theatre as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival.  Winner of 2012 Fringe New Play Contest, this exciting three-hander flips the “illusion of morality” on its head to expose the darker side of human nature.

Ted has one hour to tell Donny why he wants to do a bad thing, and it’s Donny’s job to help justify it (for cash). Using various techniques, including psychology, philosophy, references to the animal kingdom and good old fashioned alcohol, Donny slowly gets Ted to open up about what kind of person he really is, only to learn something shocking about himself in the process.

Featuring committed performances by a first-rate cast, Help Yourself will keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the very last minute. Pagett and Walker have intense, laugh-out-loud funny energy on stage, while Donny’s girlfriend Samantha (played by the charming Tosha Doiron) adds a sexy and stylish element to their testosterone-fueled dynamic. A must-see at this year’s Fringe festival.

Help Yourself runs until July 14 at George Ignatieff Theatre (15 Devonshire Place). Visit fringetoronto.com for a full schedule and to buy tickets.