THEATRE | Trey Parker’s insane offering, Cannibal! The Musical arrives at Vancouver’s Fringe Festival.

Cannibal! The Musical doesn’t need any help to sell out a Fringe Fest venue. Written by Trey Parker (of South Park fame), regardless of how it’s reviewed, people are sure to head out to see it.

But be warned: South Park, it isn’t.

Still from the film Cannibal! The Musical.

Cannibal! The Musical is based on the film of the same name. It details the life of Alfred Packer, the notorious Colorado cannibal, who was convicted of eating a bunch of prospectors in the late 1800s. Good times! It’s just what you’d expect from a college-aged goofball.

Though this bizarre theatrical offering is far too long (far, far, far too long!) and without much of a plot, Cannibal! The Musical is still fairly amusing in that patented ‘I can’t believe I’m laughing at this, I must be a fourteen year old boy at heart’ Trey Parker way.

The play is sympathetic to Packer, painting him as a misunderstood sweetheart, who just loved his horse.

Considering that it’s a musical, there isn’t much music to speak of, and the show’s dance numbers are deliberately silly and unfocussed (sort of like that Pepto Bismol commercial that’s been getting a lot of play recently).

It’s also clear that none of the performers are professional singers. Or if they are, they’re doing a great impression of terrible amateurs.

That said, crappy quality is a Trey Parker hallmark. It works for South Park, and it almost works here. Cannibal! The Musical is worth a watch, but it’s far from the best of the Fringe.

Cannibal! The Musical plays on the Georgia Straight Stage 6, Granville Island. Friday 4:45 p.m., Saturday 2:45 p.m., Sunday 6:45 p.m (September 2005). 

A version of this review of the theatre-version of Cannibal! The Musical at the Vancouver Fringe published in Dose on September 15, 2005. Clipping below. Here’s a review of a MUCH BETTER fringe show from the same year.

Published in Dose, September 15, 2005.