Toronto Fringe Review: The Cards We're Dealt

There’s a reason why, outside of the Fringe, so few stand-up comedy shows take place in the afternoon. It’s generally a genre that works best when it’s dark outside. 

Perhaps that’s one reason why I didn’t fully connect with The Cards We’re Dealt, which seemed like little more than a gimmick on the day that I saw it — a hot weekday at 4 pm. 

The premise, at least as outlined on the Fringe website, is intriguing. 

Each show, host and co-producer Samantha Ling has a stack of oversized Tarot cards, and as she flips them over she explains the significance of each one. “The Sun,” for instance, might mean optimism and joy.

The novelty is that after each card is revealed, a stand-up or storyteller presents a short set inspired by that card. But there’s a flaw in this concept. From what I understand, Tarot cards are supposed to be chosen at random, revealing a bigger picture. 

In this case, the performers come in knowing their card. Even with that knowledge, they present material that — with one or two exceptions — have only a tenuous connection to the card. Note to the producers: this concept would work so much better with improvisers. 

At my show, a few comics (there didn’t seem to be any storytellers) stood out.

Opener Thea Rainford, who got the “Sun” card, began her set with a great pun: “I am the Sun — you know my father would be proud of me.” Clever. She then joked about the perils of dating, which included a bit about how she can tell that she’s going to have good sex by the way a man eats a burger. Surprising punchline, great delivery. But what it had to do with the sun, I’m not sure. 

I also enjoyed the closing act, Annabel David, who pretty much ignored her card “Justice” to deliver a very funny set of observational comedy about things like friends inviting their friends to your lunch date, making it a three-some, and how she’s been getting into self-help books. 

What she had that most of the other comics (even host Ling) lacked was a solid point of view. That, coupled with an innate sense of purpose, will always get a reaction — even at an afternoon show. 

The Cards We’re Dealt is on now until July 12 at the Toronto Fringe. Show times and tickets