If We Really Were Witches whisks audiences back to the era of witch hunts and trials, posing the question: what would happen if actual witches were present for them?
The result? One hour of laugh-out-loud moments and absurd characters that you can’t help but root for and hate, depending on who it is. The witch hunters parrot outlandish beliefs, driven home by the dry wit of the witches and women who go up against them.
Each member of the cast takes on at least two characters and flips between them seamlessly. Jim McMahon is a particular delight to watch in his witch-hunting role, creating a character that you just love to hate.
Siena D’Addario also steals the show every moment she’s on stage, which is saying something because the final two on-stage members of the troupe, Kelly Burr and Maddie Nguyen, both made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions.
Clever costuming makes even fast-paced character changes crystal clear, while the cast make meta jokes about the nature of Fringe shows that help smooth over any hiccups in production.
There’s no weak spot to be found in this four-person cast, meaning that the hour-long If We Really Were Witches flies by. It’s a satisfying narrative, yet I could easily have sat there for another 30 minutes to see the witches school their would-be hunters on feminism and magic.
From start to finish, the cast hold the audience in the palm of their hands, with knowing winks, fourth wall-breaking asides, and comedic timing to stand out even on the competitive stage of the Fringe.
You’re guaranteed to have a good time with If We Really Were Witches, offering a cathartic release of feminist justice, presented in a light package that keeps the pace upbeat, despite the potential weight of the topic.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
