The Buzz – Reviews

House of Gold

Brighter Dark Theatre—The Output

Jimmy Gold is the spitting image of his famous grandfather, country music legend and rich and famous patriarch John Gold. His toxic family are hell bent on Jimmy becoming just as big a star and restoring the family’s wealth. Skilled playwright and able protagonist Thomas McLeod spins a dark, creepy and humorous tale which unfolds at a rollicking pace in the hands of a solid company of actors with comic chops and nuanced delivery.

There are humorous references from a variety of eras; there is something fun for everyone. Kudos for mounting such a fine performance in such a challenging venue.

Barbara Fawcett

Power Grab

Extreme Players—Planetarium

In an attempt to explore the range of power through a handful of stand alone scenes, Power Grab was running on low battery for this reviewer. Given the theme and reading about the previous experiences of the Extreme Players, I would have thought the incorporation of Theatre of the Oppressed would have been a more compelling investigation of the use and abuse of power…the vignettes presented felt more like a series of class exercises than a Fringe production.

There were several interesting concepts explored from the incorporation of Confession being seen as a “power grab” to an actual robot taking the “human out of Human Resources”. While the performers show much promise, particularly in the first scene, the play might have needed to sit on the dock for a bit longer.

Stephanie Adamov

The Naked Mennonite

Real Live Entertainment—Royal Albert

I grew up as a mild Buddhist, only paying homage a couple of times a year on the occasions. Come middle school, I was agnostic, and by high school, full atheist. Then my third run in university turned me antitheist. It should come as no surprise to you that I never sat through a god-based sermon in my life.

Twenty minutes into the show, I wondered if I Alan Fehr was about to deliver the first full-on preach of my life? Twenty minutes after that, things started to turn, and it got very interesting for me. These are the kinds of personal enlightenment that I enjoy hearing about.

Fast, energetic, and powerful, this coming-of-age tale is a great account of what happens when you have the intellect, courage and independence to break away from the masses. I’m curious that Fehr is still based in Steinbach, and how his community receives him?

If we count words per minute, this is the best bang-for-buck outing in the Fringe! From the start, Fehr smokes his tires at a neck-snap 130 wpm, barely stopping for a breath.

At times, I wanted him to slow down because my brain wasn’t able to process his jokes fast enough to get them. It caught up with him a few times as well, as he spoke so fast,he had to reset and recompose.

When the show ended at 66 minutes, I understood why he had to turbo-blast his waythrough the dialogue. He paused at the times when the moments called for it, but generally, it’s hyper-paced. There isn’t much I’d cut out, so perhaps a 75-minuteallocation would result in a more manageable tempo?

Regardless, it’s a fun run and anyone not too neck-deep into faith should enjoy this journey.

Ray Yuen

What is the Problem.

Tea Party Productions—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall

The cafe style lighting cascading from the ceiling of CCFM- Antoine Gaborieau Hall helps illuminate our journey down the rabbit hole of your first partner meeting your childhood best friend. As someone who has been very comfortable under the “Rainbow Umbrella”, it was promising to see these emerging performers explore the complexities of sapphic relationships, be them platonic or romantic.

Originally produced in French, this English adaptation from Tea Party Productions dares to be vulnerable and venture into difficult conversations when you just want everyone to “get along” in addition to adding mental illness as a factor.

This reviewer was glad they “weren’t too late” to catch this trio and I’ll be curiouser and curiouser to see what they put on next.

Stephanie Adamov

COMMANDO: The Radio Play

project pigeon—The Park Theatre

Commando was such a fun time! The talented cast on stage gave us a silly, entertaining show that had us laughing the entire time!

Lorelle Rawson

Just Friends

Lavender Theatre Productions —John Hirsch Mainstage

Refreshing. So absolutely refreshing to see a show at Venue 1 that uses the space to its fullest ability during Fringe. From pen pals to potential partners, “Just Friends” covers the tale of lifelong friends Taylor and Lainey. Both seek refuge in sending letters to each other as they navigate less than ideal relationship statuses.

Score by Amber Landry and Book by Jill Kooymans this tight hour show has exemplary potential for expansion into a full blown musical. With a clear chime and charm, the compelling journey we embark on is relatable and accessible, even if you don’t find yourself a “friend of Dorothy”.

Stephanie Adamov

Erika the Red

Monster Theatre—The King’s Head Pub

The fame, the talent and the legacy of Monster Theatre, Ryan Gladstone, and Tara Travis cannot be overstated. They are legends on the Fringe circuit deserving of greater accolades than anyone could fit into print. But Erika the Red just didn’t work for me.

Tara is an incredibly skilled performer – that is obvious from the moment she takes the stage. So I don’t understand the choice to spend literally half the play making funny faces and speaking in gibberish. It wasn’t initially a bad choice – the first time we met the four vikings she showed us all four of them in order, speaking in gibberish and using very particular mannerisms, she established each of them as the comic relief and we all chuckled. Then the second time one of the vikings spoke, she again showed us all four of them in order, speaking in gibberish with the same mannerisms, and she showed how consistent her characterizations could be. The third time one of the vikings spoke, she again showed us all four of them in order, speaking in gibberish with the same mannerisms, and she established that it would be a running gag. Am I repeating myself? Because the 4th through nth times she did it we were checking our watches.

The conclusion and the build towards it really could have been something epic. It was unfortunately given a third of the attention it needed in favour of showing us what each vikings mannerisms would like while on a boat, then while confused about something, then while on a boat again, then while making friends, then while on a boat again. All four of them, in order, every time. The combination of talents involved in this production give it real potential, but the show needs work.

Shawn Kowalke

Field Zoology 301: Myths & Monsters

Shawn O’Hara—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

Seldom the delinquent student, I was unaware if I would be lost in class having not taken the prerequisites. Luckily, Dr. Brad Gooseberry energetically embraces the warm audience and helps this novice to his previous work feel right at home. He reveals tales of several infamous creatures behind the shelter of a sharpie drawn fire. From start to finish this charismatic creator captivated the crowd. The hand drawn projections teeter the line of cheeky and clever and the self awareness only adds to the charm.

Stephanie Adamov

Shadow Necropolis

Mochinosha Puppet Company—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Shadow puppetry magic that is a show the whole family can see that takes on the effects and handling of anxiety in such a beautiful and comforting but also relatable funny way.

This is an amazing company that I don’t understand the physics of how they keep out doing themselves so well year after year.

A sequel to Shadow Kingdom so a certain DJ does reappear.

Thank you for your art.

Veronica Ternopolski

kicked in the end: a magic show

Shawn DeSouza-Coelho—Son of Warehouse

This show was BRILLIANT. I was expecting a magic show, and he definitely delivered. I even participated in one of the first tricks that had my heart rate extremely elevated, but this is also a very compelling and poignant storytelling show. Shawn DeSouza-Coelho shared his story as a performing artist and delivered a powerful message about the nature of theatre as experienced by someone in a visible minority, and the show is a very important discussion about race. I particularly loved the profound wisdom written into the clever and engaging dialogue. It is a very entertaining and moving show, and unconventional in many ways. The last thing I scribbled in my notes was WOW, so make sure you make time for this one. He’s also got a few books available to purchase if you choose regarding aspects of magic and the theatre. I loved it and highly recommend it.

Calantha Jensen