Photo from Cowichan Valley News Leader

Single white female faces frustrations

Peter Rusland
Fringe reporter
The Pictorial,
Sunday September 24, 2000

Who is Mr. Right?

Mona hasn't found him yet but she has a riot during her frustrating search in the Fringe's insightful SWF. . obo.

Mona - played with comical authority Wednesday by Ruth Baines - opens her heart to discuss the disappointing dating game during this frank Fringe treat.

SWF speaks to all women and men seeking a lasting, loving relationship in the new age.

Audience females related to Mona's statements: "I'm never again going to change for a man"; and "being with a woman would be easier because at least we'd talk about things"; "The first clue that he's not a liar is that he actually calls me," and "I'm worth It."

Those insights into the battered feminine condition also serve men clues about finding Ms. Right.

In fact, feisty, patient Mona's perfect partner would be employed, never lie, be adventurous, and carry no emotional baggage.

But those virtues are easier said than found, leaving Mona believing most relationships are "overrated, complicated codependency."

Her frustration surfaces in several delicate dances, including one with a chair used to symbollcally brain a two-timing boyfriend.

Ultimately, Baines' energetic, optimistic play lends courage to all singles seeking a stable partner in a sea of mediocrity.

SWF..obo ends Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Cowichan Theatre.

Fringe comedic-dance rating: 8 out of 10.

Self-proclaimed Spinster examines singlehood

Cowichan Valley Citizen
September 20/2000

Can a woman still be single after 30, without becoming a biological time bomb; obsessed with finding Mr. Right or should that be Mr. Right away please?

Self-proclaimed 'spinster' Ruth Baines draws from personal experiences to create an intimate, if somewhat sarcastic, look into the challenges facing a single woman living in a world obsessed with pair bondmg.

SWF...obo originally premiered at Alberta Dance Explosions in Calgary, where audiences warmly received this comeadiography of text, music and dance. A highly successful tour last summer of half of the western Canadian Fringe festivals led to this year's tour of the other half.

Creator and performer Baines is a Fine Arts graduate of York University where she received an honours degree in dance choreography.

She continues to live and work in Vancouver, where she is happily single.

SWF ...obo is on-stage Wednesday at 9 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 3 p.m.