Toronto Fringe Review: Bitty-Bat and Friends

David Attenborough meets contemporary clown in Bitty-Bat and Friends, a very funny comedy with a zoological theme that, at least at the performance I attended (opening acts will change throughout the run), is suitable for all ages. 

The setting is the Toronto Zoo, and our emcee/guide is Hilary (Hilary Wheeler), who is letting us view the animals before PETA protestors shut things down. 

First up is the amusing double act of the Tortoise and the Lemur (Alexa MacDougall and Noah Beemer), who are not to be confused with the Tortoise and the Hare. With the clock ticking down on the zoo’s closing, the pair have only a few minutes to show us their routine. But of course, with the lemur much quicker than the tortoise, it’s hard to get their movements in sync. 

MacDougall and Beemer pull it off, with lots of charm to spare. 

Before Hilary introduces the main attraction, we get to win prizes by answering some bat-related trivia. And then comes the appearance of Bitty-Bat (Emily Jeffers) herself, a befanged creature cloaked in black with an impressive wing span, cute little claws and eyes that nervously dart around her. 

The gradual reveal of Bitty-Bat is lots of fun, as she plays with the theatre’s curtain, rushes mysteriously across the stage, clutches a stand-up microphone and eventually delivers her first squeaks of communication. 

Then we watch as Bitty-Bat avoids predators, mates (cue a very gentle bit of audience participation), gets pregnant and attempts to raise a baby bat. 

Jeffers is a wonderful physical performer, alive to all the shifting responses in the audience. It remains to be seen if her misunderstood character has the legs — or rather wings — to sustain another show or two. But it’ll be bloody great fun watching her try. 

Bitty-Bat and Friends is now on until July 12 at the Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets.