Promotional image by Corrie Aune. Vikings and design by Bagels N Pretzels Illustration
Presented by Flapjack Theatrics
Written, directed and designed by Tia Shearer Bassett
Music: “I Promise” by Alex Kozobolis
Promotional image by Corrie Aune
Vikings and design by Bagels N Pretzels Illustration
July 27 & Aug 3, 2025 at 2 PM
Aug. 1, 2025 at 7 PM
Zoom (tickets)
Flapjack Theatrics on IG
Approximately 30 minutes. Recommended for adults.
Critique by Kitty Drexel
ZOOM — The epically named Zoom show Glitter Vikings of a Wolfish God by multi-hyphenate performer Tia Shearer Bassett was created in honor of the artist’s heroic year of cancer treatments. It is short, sweet, and jam-packed with enthusiastic energy. Its July 27th show was performed in honor of Sarcoma Month. Bassett performs Glitter Vikings of a Wolfish God again on August 1st and 3rd.
Bassett says Glitter Vikings of a Wolfish God is an experimental adventure show based on her experiences getting chemo treatments for cancer. She tells us that, as she received treatment, Bassett overheard a man in a separate treatment area reading the tales of ancient Vikings aloud to his mother. These stories kept this anonymous man’s mother calm. The stories also cheered up Bassett (and I’m sure, many others).
These tales inspired Bassett to create a new Viking adventure with her Zoom audiences. To do this, she incorporates audience-inspired idea gathering, on-camera audience participation, speaking and singing together while one’s camera is muted, and a dash of sparkly makeup. Audience members are welcome to participate as much or as little as they’d like, but it’s more fun when everyone participates together.
After an introduction, Bassett began the show by asking us to give ourselves a Viking group name and a personal Viking name. For example, I was Pedicurevi of the Screaming Death Defying Squiggle Bards. A more heroic name there never existed, I’m sure.
From there, Bassett took us through her experiences of receiving her diagnosis, finding hope despite the deep well of hopelessness that is cancer, and eventually, her successful treatment. She used simple but effective paper puppets and title-cards to tell her story. Sometimes she was quiet and let her production music speak for her. Other times, Bassett wove her story with high energy and poetic words. Our 30 minutes together passed quickly.
Tia Shearer Bassett is a natural fit for children’s theatre, although Glitter Vikings of a Wolfish God is intended for adults. Her exuberant energy is warm and kind. As a performer, she wants the best for her audience, even if it means leaving the show to return when we are ready.
Glitter Vikings of a Wolfish God has a lot of heart. Currently, at its condensed core, it has more heart than it has a structured story. Yes, we learn about Bassett’s Vikings and why they glitter. We hear a little about Bassett’s cancer treatment but less of her hope-fueled recovery. We surmise that hearing the tales read aloud was a treat for her and brought her hope, but Bassett doesn’t elaborate about why the stories appealed to her so much, how she decided to write a show about them, and what she thinks we should take away from that show.
No should retraumatize themselves to tell their story, but some elaboration is necessary to make a one-woman show relevant to newcomers. We want to know in Bassett’s own words why the Viking stories appealed to her so much or how hearing them caused her to change her life. By hearing Bassett’s specific story, we can apply its lessons to our own. Instead, her audience is left to assume details, and we all know what happens when we assume things. Also, who is the wolfish god? Does he have an altar on the Viking trade route? Inquiring minds need to know!
Glitter Vikings of a Wolfish God has potential to be an awesome Zoom adventure. Not many adult theatre productions ask their audiences to gather energy like a Tai Chi practitioner, to detangle themselves from an invisible sweater, or to put themselves in the aching bones of a cancer survivor on calcium supplements. The world needs more empathy; Tia Shearer Bassett is doing important work by asking her audience to cultivate it.
About Flapjack Theatrics:
Flapjack Theatrics is a one-ADHD-woman company dedicated to playful, welcoming and unconventional theatre in all kinds of spaces, with a focus on the beauty and delight of physical objects. Find more information about FJT and Tia Shearer Bassett on the website, https://flapjacktheatrics.com/.
