Vancouver Fringe Festival review - Bookworm

– by Julia Kalinina

In this beautiful show dramaturged by T.J. Dawe and directed by Morgan Jones Phillips, songwriter and now playwright Corin Raymond celebrates his love of good stories by sharing some of his own.

A good story, like a good song, empowers, uplifts, opens your heart, and reminds you of simple truths you’ve forgotten. This show does more. “Bookworm” disarms with kindness.

Growing up in his father’s library in northern Ontario and often lonely, books kept the younger Raymond company like friends and family. But Bookworm is not just a celebration of literature; it is a celebration of the soul and the power of stories to connect people. Some of the best characters in literature make appearances in this crowded one-man show. Raymond reminds us that in the world of stories, it’s hard to be lonely. At least one town where this show was performed was sold out of Ray Bradbury for a full month. The shortage was likely “Bookworm” related.

“Bookworm” is funny, human, and inspiring. It will make you want to reconnect with your favourite books, track down those mentioned in the show, and read them to someone you love. Highly recommended.

You can catch “Bookworm” tonight (Sunday, September 23^rd) at Performance Works as part of “Pick of the Fringe”, starting at 10pm.