Name: Sean O'Grady - Hamilton Venue Tech (Hamilton)

Review: Engaging, well-researched and entertaining as hell. I've been recommending this show to everyone since it came in for Tech Rehersals. All in all an great show. (Posted June 9, 2004)

Name: Brad Curtin (Walkerton)

Review: An amazing show. I laughed very hard, very long and enjoyed it thoroughly. You won't regret seeing the show! (Posted June 14, 2004)

Name: Aha Blume (Hamilton)

Review: The best one man show I've ever seen! Russell is very talented. He portrays Charlie Kovacs and a wide range of characters who interact with Charlie in an interesting way. His 80-minute show is worth seeing more then once! If he's coming to your city be sure to catch The Reefer Man - if he's not, it's worth the money to travel to see him. Weather you do smoke pot or not, and weather you believe pot should be legalized or not, go see the show! (Posted June 14, 2004)

Name: Kira (Hamilton)

Review: I recommend this show to anyone,its brilliant! Russell is quite talented with the many characters he portrays. It makes you think and is full of laughs. Yes! go see "The Reefer Man", its smokin'!! (Posted June 22, 2004)

Name: Sharon Roberts (Ottawa)

Review: A frenetic, sweaty trip through Charlie Kovacs' secret garden - "no longer a secret" - The Reefer Man is a must-see for lawyers and lawmakers, politicians, parents, and potheads alike. Don't let the goofy logo or title stop you. The truth is, this play is a homegrown, educational must-see for anyone who imagines sowing her own secret garden - a place lush with dreams of liberty from unjust laws steeped in bigotry and status quo rhetoric, the courage to tread beyond finely toed lines, or the chance to be ourselves and leave behind the [im]person [ation] others always thought we'd be. (Posted June 22, 2004)

Name: Mary Ann (Ottawa)

Review: Good focus and engagement. Russell is very adept at switching characters and keeping the action moving. Best performance I've seen at the Ottawa Fringe to date. Thoroughly enjoyed the show. (Posted June 24, 2004)

Name: Liz Livermore (Ottawa)

Review: What an amazing actor! Consistant high energy evoked a number of emotions; tickled my funny bone; tears on family relationships; informative but not boring or lecturing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! (Posted June 30, 2004)

Name: Eh-Damn (Ottawa)

Review: An absolutely stunning performance, high energy, fast-paced, it always kept me laughing. I might even go to see it again - three or four more times. If you smoke pot see it. If you don't smoke pot - see it. Just go see it already. (Posted June 30, 2004)

Name: Griff (V2) (Ottawa)

Review: I've never laughed harder at any theatre production. Russell is brilliant. Timely, topical and passionate; and as good a reason to convince me to vote as any. Regardless of your views, it is a thought-provoking show not to be missed. (Posted June 30, 2004)

Name: Alexandre Matté (Ottawa)

Review: Russell brill sur scène. Il est seul à jouer une dizaine de personages, chacun d'eux interprété superbement. Bonne intrique, bonne separation entre ses personages et la narration. Un commentaire politique qui en même temps plait aux <<poteux>>. La foule a adoré. Fantastique! (Posted June 30, 2004)

Name: Richard Levine (Toronto)

Review: The Reeferman is a very entertaining one man show. The audience is pulled into the world of Charlie Kovacs right form the opening scene. Russ gives a convincing performance, while artfully playing 25 different characters. Russ successfully engages his audience. He makes them laugh and most importantly think (about Canadian marijauna laws). This is a very worthwhile 80 minute show, with a very talented actor. (Posted July 3, 2004)

Name: Tim (Ottawa)

Review: Saw the show twice at the Ottawa Fringe festival (the monday and saturday shows) and I enjoyed it immensely both times for it's witty humour, fast interchangeing and informative script, and excellent rapport with the audience. I hope the play makes it big and sells out to larger crowds at arts centres across the country, perhaps in the U.S. and Britain as well. I see it going far and high. Cheers. (Posted July 4, 2004)

Name: Emmanuel Shirinian, Writer & director (Toronto)

Review: The Best Buzz; The Reefer Man Receives High Accolades.

Writer, actor and full time activist, Russell Bennett is a one man wrecking machine at this years Toronto Fringe Festival. From the moment Bennett's Charlie Kovacs bursts on to the stage like a cyclone ready to spread havoc, it's impossible not to like him. Our protagonist in this 75-minute head-trip takes the audience on his journey from jaded lawyer to marijuana grower to criminal. Or that's at least what the government labels Charlie after seizing an abundance of plants from the house that he inherited from his aunt. He's not only at odds with the police and the courts, but also with his conservative lawyer father, who feels ashamed that his name has been tarnished on account of his son's marijuana possession charge. Charlie's father wants him to plead guilty, but Charlie refuses and relishes this opportunity to dispel the myth about pot, and challenge the courts on their archaic and racist laws.

The story is very engaging and the humorous moments are punctuated beautifully with poignancy and historical evidence. One doesn't get the sense that they're being condescended or preached to. On the contrary, Bennett never loses focus on the ridiculous laws that continue to plague millions of innocent victims, but rather than rant for an hour, Bennett entertains his audience with passion and fervor.

Bennett's real strength is his characters that he performs, giving each one a distinct voice and soul. Bennett has tremendous range as an actor, both with his body and his voice, and one only has to observe the sequence in Charlie Kovac's law office, where he's being interrupted from his work by a various characters. With such tremendous ease, Bennett drifts in out of characters with his only cue to switch being the sound effect of a phone ringing (Bennett provides all of the sound effects himself.)

The stage is dressed with a simple table and chair. The lighting is striking, especially when it acts as a metaphor for the euphoria that Charlie and his friend Max experience during their experimentation.

Without giving away the ending, it would have been nice to see some form of reconciliation with his father. There are some really intense and funny moments between Charlie and his father, but ultimately they are at odds with each other throughout the play, and it would have been nice to have had some closure with his father after Charlie defends himself in court. We don't expect his father to suddenly change his view, but a confrontation might have neatly wrapped up the theme of family in the play.

I strongly urge everyone in this country to see The Reefer Man. Bennett will take you on a journey unlike anything you've seen or experienced. He'll make you feel emotional, he'll make you laugh and most importantly, he'll make you think. When I wrote earlier that it's impossible not to like him, it's really true. He possesses so much passion and he shares every ounce of it with his audience. How can you not like that? Russell Bennett will be performing The Reefer Man at a Fringe festival near you. Don't miss it!!!!! (Posted July 15, 2004)

Name: J. Benning (Toronto)

Review: Reefer Man is a great comprehensive journey across the marijuana map; better than any educational film could ever be... Russell's ability to blend humour with history and factoids creates an experience that young and old alike shouldn't miss - pot smoker or not; the issues at stake boil down to the very core of our place as a progressive Canadian society on the world stage. (Posted July 16, 2004)

Name: Mimi (Toronto)

Review: I just saw Russell Bennett in The Reefer Man at the Toronto Fringe Festival today. It was FANTASTIC. He is a very good actor and the play is very well conceived and inventive. I thoroughly enjoyed it. (Posted July 16, 2004)

Name: Ron P. (Winnipeg)

Review: Outstanding performance by Russell Bennett.A very funny show that deserves all its accolades. Enjoyed show without agreeing with the opinion. (Posted July 20, 2004)

Name: Alin (Winnipeg)

Review: The Reefer Man is a well told story that is really funny, insightful and has messages. (Posted July 22, 2004)

Name: Matt (Winnipeg)

Review: Wow, talk about an amazing one man show, this one is it! Reefer Man is definitely one of the better shows this year at the fringe. The guy is smart, HILARIOUS, and not bad to look at either, which makes the hour and half seem like 15 mins! Not only is it entertaining but the amount of information you can get out of it is stunning, and it can make even the most idiotic person, have a good argument for why pot should be legal! SO EVERYONE SAY YES and go see THE REEFER MAN! (Posted July 23, 2004)

Name: Jeffrey Katz (Winnipeg)

Review: EXCELLENT! Haven't seen such good one-man acting! I would go again! (Posted July 23, 2004)

Name: Hemp Rock Cafe (Winnipeg)

Review: The Reefer Man was absolutely sensational!!! We loved the show---the words, the characters.....all rang true!! Hope to meet up with Bennett once again....peace on your journeys. (Posted July 27, 2004)

Name: Janis (Toronto)

Review: This show isn't just for potheads. I haven't smoked in years and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Both well written and well performed. I'd rate it as one of the better Fringe shows I've seen. (Posted July 27, 2004)

Name: Greg (Saskatoon)

Review: The Refeerman is a steady stream of blatant in your face humour, but you have to pay attention because there is a lot of subtlety happening. I suspect the performer is lying about his age in his bio, or his stage training has been very good. This is a show you can look forward to seeing more than once, I left the theatre with new insights and wanting more. Great entertainment. (Posted August 2, 2004)

Name: An elderly woman (Saskatoon)

Review: One couldn't ask for anything more! It was GREAT. You made this fringe for me. A well-presented cause. Excellent performance with energy plus. plus plus plus.... Thank you. (Posted August 4, 2004)

Name: soulmantra (Saskatoon)

Review: a wickedly intelligent journey that was so relevantly hilarious i won't even try to describe it. part history lesson, part laughing lesson... this was just an awesome achievement. even brought in some saskatoon specific content that was well researched and side splitting. style points awarded for that.

the characters are so well formed that he embarrasses some of the multi-actor fringe productions. just awesome.

i saw russell on the street and just shouted... "hey it's the reefer man" for no other reason than having been thoroughly impressed with his talent.

recommended for anybody. so far from a stoner comedy you wouldn't believe it. it wasn't just and excellent work about marijuana in canada... it was a brilliant fringe piece. period. (Posted August 4, 2004)

Name: Jay (Saskatoon)

Review: It has been a week since I saw The Reefer Man and it's still on my mind. I loved this show. The script is engaging, tight, thoughtful and hilarious. Russell Bennet's character work is flawless, bringing over 10 different people to life. I wish I could see this show again. I have told all my friends in Edmonton and Vancouver to see it while they can (it sold out several times here in Saskatoon).

The Reefer Man is brilliant! (Posted August 17, 2004)

Name: Berlander (Greenview)

Review: Just wanted to add mine to the previous voices cheering Russell Bennett on for giving us a gem. (Posted August 17, 2004)

Name: J. Mitchell (Edmonton)

Review: This play will give you a natural high from laughter. The actor is amazing! Taking on a plethora of roles and never failing to entertain. A definite must see!! (Posted August 20, 2004)

Name: Don Hill, host of Wild Rose Forum (CBC Radio One in Alberta)

Review: A thoughtful, provocative, and very funny show! Thanks for tonight's performance, and your clever and engaging script. (Posted August 20, 2004)

Name: Dean (Edmonton)

Review: This was the best show I have seen at the Fringe in a long time. I was watching it and I could remember doing some of the things that were discussed about when I first started doing marijuana. The number of characters that Russell Bennett could pull off was absolutely incredable. My personal favorites were the Judge and Max. I hope that the show comes back because I have a lot of friends that want to see the show now, but can't make it to any of the remaining dates. I wouldn't mind seeing it again either. (Posted August 20, 2004)

Name: Andrea (Edmonton)

Review: Awesome show! Canada NEEDS to see this. Spread the word, and free the weed! (Posted August 31, 2004)

Name: Chris Clay (Victoria)

Review: As the webmaster for this site, I've read all the previous reviews and expected The Reefer Man was going to be good. However, I finally had a chance to see it yesterday and it far exceeded my expectations! I was amazed at Russ' boundless energy; I don't know how he can repeat such a performance night after night. I also found the script to be very funny, engaging and insightful. If you have a chance to see The Reefer Man, by all means, don't pass up the chance! (Posted September 7, 2004)

Name: Matthew (Victoria)

Review: I saw the show tonight (5/9/04) and was so impressed, what a perfomance. I came away thinking about not only the crazy pot laws but all the things in life which stop us from being who we want to be and how we'd like to express ourselves. Thanks again for an excellent show. (Posted September 7, 2004)

Name: Jason Z. (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Review: Hi-larious and heartfelt/lungfelt. It's so nice to encounter someone for whom the weed is such a passion and priority. I've been blazin' my way through BC's kind bud during my week-long stay in Vancouver and I see I still have some catching up to do... Oh, and the prizes offered during the trivia period after the show were golden. I'll be contributing to my mama's garden as soon as I get home. Thanx, Reeferman. (Posted September 15, 2004)

Name: Ryan H. (San francisco, California)

Review: What a trailblazer! Russell was incredible. Highly entertaining, highly provocative, and right on target. I can't recommend it more highly... (Posted September 15, 2004)

Name: Len - volunteer at Da Kine (Vancouver)

Review: This play would have been hilarious ..... if it hadn't been so serious. Excellent topical comedic presentation of a serious problem in our society. Thank you Russell. The staff and volunteers at Da Kine appreciate your kindness and support. (Posted September 28, 2004)

Name: John W. Conroy QC (Mission)

Review: Great stuff Russell and Gillian. You covered it all in a wonderfully entertaining and humorous way. Keep up the good work getting the message out. (Posted October 11, 2004)

Name: Cameron Ward
A. Cameron Ward & Company
Barristers & Solicitors
The Dominion Building
1205 - 207 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6B 1H7

Review: I was at your Saturday matinee yesterday, and absolutely loved it! Everybody should see this show at least once. Enough superlatives, already. Best of luck and continued success.(Posted April 3, 2005)