Heretic (Minnesota Reviews)
ARCHIVE EDITOR'S NOTE --- The following Heretic reviews are in connection with Niki's performances during the 2003 Minnesota Fringe Festival held August 1-10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Reviews/comments - listed in reverse chronological order - were taken from the Minnesota Fringe Vox Fringe online message forums, from Niki's show-description page and from online media sources.
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! --- I came in with very high expectations because I was amazed by Worm-Hole last year. Brilliantly conceived and performed, and so very thought-provoking. Heretic was all that and more. I found the ending especially satisfying, make that inspiring.
(Kurt H. - Fringe Website Heretic Show Page - Five Stars - 10 August 2003)
NIKI DOES IT AGAIN! --- What can I say about the work of the amazing Niki McCretton? My hopes for this piece were high already, based on her fine work in Worm-Hole, and I was definitely not disappointed. Heretic is the most thoughtful piece of work I have seen in the entire Fringe Festival. In her beautiful, agonizing show, Niki embraces the contradictions of religious faith - nay, even CELEBRATES those contradictions - as her Heretic wrestles with the dilemmas of sincere faith, doubt and the fears of isolation. Her piece asks us to consider not only the foundation of belief in creation, but also the very nature of sin. It's a delight to discover that she is not only an extremely gifted physical performer (she's like a Sufist dervish, indeed), but is quite an accomplished vocal actor as well. It's a challenge - with any piece of conceptual work - to take the audience on that journey, but through her considerable acting gifts, the show's stunning visuals and her mordant humor, Niki does just that. I felt dazed after leaving the theater and am still processing thoughts about the piece, even as I write this review. Don't miss this incredible piece of work.
(Cheryl H. - Fringe Website Heretic Show Page - Five Stars - 10 August 2003)
SPLENDOUR --- Brave and crazy, this one. There's nothing to compare it to in terms of pure intellectual, spiritual, aesthetic and physical energy being poured into one small space. And the brave and crazy means you DON'T get a "bravura" blow-out at the end so you get to leave tingling. Ravishing, funny moments in Heretic abound, but the artist's honesty demands that the happiest endings we'll get are a yawning silence and a faint glimmer of hope after she pulls out all the stops in trying to please the Powers. Niki McCretton worships with every cell in her being ... plays like a Roman with her eyes on fire. Is she a Sufi dervish, a desert anchorite, a progressive Christian or a pissed-off, smart-ass Englishwoman whose mind and body crave ecstacy in the midst of arid modernity ... but that very rare seeker who accepts all risk of pain and overload? All of the above, as Worm-Hole proved last year and Heretic proves in '03. McCretton is unique, a very important interdisciplinary artist ... your ticket $$ will keep her working and touring. (Although she'd accept success like a grim duty, a new hair shirt, I bet ... and probably spend all the money on weeks of rehearsal and another breathtaking set. I'm a mean old Jesuit, and I say to give the girl a mission. Bwaa-haw-haw-haw.)
(Dalton C. - Fringe Website Heretic Show Page - 4.5/5 Stars - 5 August 2003)
AWESTRUCK --- This show is literally my favorite thing. I don't know if I can give it a better compliment. I loved it. Go.
(Ashley S. - Fringe Website Heretic Show Page - Five Stars - 5 August 2003)
HERETIC BREAKS FROM REST OF FRINGE --- Niki McCretton is back this year, all the way from England, with another thought-provoking solo piece. McCretton blends movement, video and theater in Heretic - a show not entirely unlike last year's Worm-Hole - in her ability to create a microcosmic world for a single character in total isolation from society. Definitely one of the more abstract and conceptual offerings at the Fringe, Heretic nevertheless holds its audience's attention for the entire 75-minute performance - a recommended choice as a departure from some of the more slapstick Fringe shows.
(Kim Surkan - Saint Paul Pioneer Press - 4 August 2003)
A MUST SEE --- I saw Niki's show last year - Worm-Hole - and really enjoyed it. I was equally pleased with Heretic. The combination of physical theatre and visuals was effective. There were a few moments that were a little slower than I would have preferred, but I would highly recommend this show to everyone. A must see.
(David L. - Fringe Website Heretic Show Page - Five Stars - 4 August 2003)
COMPELLING PERFORMER --- Niki McCretton is amazing. She is one of the most compelling performers I've seen. I can't do justice to the piece in a few words, but check it out.
(Scot Auguston - Vox Fringe - 4 August 2003)
INTERESTING PERFORMANCE --- For those interested in movement theater, Heretic is an interesting performance. Niki McCretton is back with her signature solo work after touring Worm-Hole across the international Fringe circuit last year. McCretton's character has been exiled for her fanatical religious beliefs and we watch as she attempts to fulfill her penance of filling a tank with tears in order to return to society. As always, her work relies on the development of ritualized movement, creating a language of meaning unique to the character's isolated world: a thought-provoking piece.
(Kim Surkan - MNArtists.Org - 3 August 2003)
THIS COULD BE THE BEST SHOW IN THE FRINGE --- If you are looking for a show that is well-written, unusual, thought-provoking, intelligent, visually interesting, beautifully executed and just plan fascinating, don't miss Heretic. This is what the Fringe is all about!
(Amy H. - Fringe Website Heretic Show Page - Five Stars - 3 August 2003)
HE CAN'T WAIT! --- We saw Niki's show last year (Worm-Hole) and were completely blown away by it. It was EASILY the best thing we saw last year. (No small feat, since we saw over 20 shows!) Niki's movement skills are superior, but it's really her gift for storytelling and character development through non-verbal convention that really drives the show. She is a truly amazing performer; I can't wait to see this year's show.
(Gene1168 - Vox Fringe Forum - 03 August 2003)
I SAY GO! --- To this point, I have only seen seven shows, but so far this one gets my "Best Of" vote. If you saw or missed Worm-Hole at last year’s Fringe, are fascinated by art that is fascinated by religion and personal obsession, or just want to watch a top-notch physical performer create a world with water, tears and a minimum number of words (although many more words than Worm-Hole), this is a must-see. If you are on the fence - go, go, yes go.
(Kathy F. - Fringe Website Heretic Show Page - Five Stars - 3 August 2003)
FRONT-RUNNER --- Heretic is a front-runner for best show in the Fringe. It is intelligent, well-written, thought-provoking, beautifully executed and visually interesting. Don't miss it!
(Amy3154 - Vox Fringe Forum - 2 August 2003)
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Webpage Last Updated 14 May 2007
