The Buzz – Reviews

Who Drinks Mocktails on the Beach?!

Painted Fern Productions—Son of Warehouse

The company lists the show as a “musical” but it’s more storytelling than musical. In fact, I may have cut down on the time spent on music and added more to the plot. The intro and development were super but the climax didn’t come until the final minute and there was no actual denouement; it’s implicit and you’re supposed to infer it as a viewer.

For me, it was easy to fill in the gap of the missing denouement but that’s because this tale mirrors my own life in many ways. I just wrote that turning point in my life at age 50-something, and not 20/30-something. It would have been nice to see some reasoning behind her revelation and enlightenment.

Ray Yuen

Letters from a Space Girl in Love

If Only a Dream Productions—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

This show spoke to me like nothing I have EVER seen so far in all my years at this festival. A spoken word show of beautiful prose, Chantal shared a story that resonated with me to a dizzying extent. I was captivated by every single word she spoke. She has somehow found the words to say everything I couldn’t during a period of my life that makes me feel like this show was written FOR me. It felt as though she pulled every syllable from the depths of my soul and I am shaken. To say I loved it is a wild understatement, because this show was EVERYTHING. I wept. This is the kind of show that makes me deeply grateful for the ability theatre has to help us heal and process experiences in our lives that have had an irrevocable impact on who we become. It was beautiful, sincere and I have never felt so deeply and profoundly seen in my entire life. Chantal, thank you.

Calantha Jensen

Bloodline

Taylor Presents —Dave Barber Cinematheque

This very personal one-person dramedy written and performed by Paris Crayton III tells the story of three generations of Paris Craytons, himself, his Father and his Grandfather. The three stories are inter-woven as we see each deal with some key challenges in their lives. It is very well written, both humorous and poignant. Paris easily slips between the 3 roles making each character a distinctive persona. Absolutely a show to be seen, and the unbelievable story of how his Grandfather meets his Grandmother is completely true. Very inspiring.

Murray Hunter

Ragtag Cabaret

Old Cat Parade—Tom Hendry Warehouse

This is a rather random variety show that included stand up comedy, clowning and music. My favourite bit was the tap dancing, and the show was quite silly overall. It felt all over the place, and I can respect that it takes a lot to get up and perform anything in front of an audience. I do feel as though this show could use a bit more cohesion and direction, because I was often confused, but there’s a spot for even shows like this to have their time.

Calantha Jensen

House of Gold

Brighter Dark Theatre—The Output

A quick trip up the elevator and a few steps takes you right into the living room of the Gold family. The seating set up is such that you are literally immersed into the fabric of this family’s hilarious and dysfunctional dynamics.

An original story written by a local playwright, House of Gold tells the tale of the adult children of a passed on country music legend, attempting to re create their father’s success and fortune through DNA and the calibrated upbringing of the grandson.

With a multitude of laugh out loud moments, a strong cast of six unique performers, entertains their audience throughout. You are engaged as each character brings forth energy, comedy and charisma through their efforts to mold Jimmy into the cash cow they hope he will be.

But what happens when Jimmy may not be as talented as his grandfather? Doesn’t he deserve to live his life for himself? Can the devoted mother protect her son’s future? How unethical are these three siblings who want to see their investment flourish? Can the good “doctor” deliver the specimen they have eagerly awaited? Will John Gold come back from the dead? What magic or trouble lies beneath that hat? Go find out!

Shayla Patterson

Precarious Endangerment

Hogans Circus—MTC Up the Alley

If you’re looking for a danger magician, look no further! This show is a very entertaining exploration into the curiosities of what the human body is capable of. Seemingly impossible stunts and plenty of viscerally cringey stunts that you can’t quite believe he pulls off without fail! He had me on the edge of my seat but also peeking through my fingers, overall impressed and astounded. Inspired by the sideshows and freak shows of circuses of old, Brett Oddly brings us face to face with the bizarre and macabre that you can’t look away from. He told us that similarly to the desire to experience new foods as one travels, regardless of how wacky and weird, he has a similar desire with sensations. There is a lot to discover when pushing the envelope with one’s body and abilities. Make sure you volunteer, you’ll have a story to share for sure!

Calantha Jensen

My Dinner With Arby

Out Of Body Physical Theatre—Dave Barber Cinematheque

I was not sure what to make of this show when I saw it. As you walk into the theatre, the performers (Baird Duncan and Jackson Thompson) are on stage in their clown personas getting some help from various audience members to help ‘dramaturg’ the show. They then start the show. Two old friends who have not seen each other in a long time sharing a meal and talking about various things.

Some of the topics covered, were I suspect suggestions from the audience, but as those were not really spoken out loud, like at an improv show, I can only guess that was why a discussion of Manga was on the table (a topic I know nothing about).

In their discussion on the arts and performing, among other things, they do talk about doing a show “My Dinner with Andre in clown”. OK, that and the show title kind of clicked a bit. I think my key befuddlement was because my familiarity with the movie “My Dinner with Andre” was at a level below that of even “elevator pitch”. So it wasn’t until after the show, when I looked at IMDB to find out more about the movie and fill in some gaps that I could understand the show a bit more. I also learned it is a somewhat polarizing movie where people either love it or hate it. I fear ‘My Dinner With Arby’ might suffer the same fate. I personally didn’t hate it, but it was definitely not my cup of tea.

Murray Hunter

View From Sunset Towers

Shoestring Players—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I am of the opinion that Shoestring Players ought to be affectionately referred to as heartstrings players, because there hasn’t been a production I’ve left of theirs with dry eyes. This is an intensely heartfelt collection of stories from perspectives later in life, when after years of life experience and memories, the characters reach another fork in the road on their paths of life, and have new choices to make. The deeply emotional and raw human moments had me gripped at every turn. It was funny, validating and illuminating, definitely a must see.

Calantha Jensen

Fifth Date

The Gargoyle Players—The Gargoyle Theatre

Deeply uncomfortable and entirely uncompromising, Fifth Date is a show where the content warning are likely not explicit enough, but still skillfully addressed. The show itself was well acted and directed, with the two leads, on a fifth date brutally derailed by the admission of past guilt and sexual crimes, playing the parts well. The male lead himself was written to clearly reject the expected reveal of clear evil and recidivism. Perhaps too reasonable, his measured responses sometimes come off as slimy and all too real, in ways that his romantic partner and the play don’t react to in ways that make me unclear how obvious they were intended. This play is difficult, and for anyone with triggers around sexual assault, not a great choice, but for all that absolutely not unworthy of a watch.

Josh Fidelak

Butterfly Dreams

Rem Lezar Theatre—Son of Warehouse

This is a particularly whimsical dance art piece. I loved the live musical score to accompany the movement, and the curious and creative use of song and sound. It is a show full of surprises and a sweet playfulness. It is rather abstract as well, and I found my imagination swirling around as I watched the performers, trying to determine what story they were telling. It was beautiful and ethereal.

Calantha Jensen