Throne Life

The Electronic Gospel—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film – U of W

This one man play follows a guy who has done wrong and falls at the feet of God to be reborn. One part EDM (electronic dance music) rave, one part spoken word journey, the actor transports then audience to what he believes heaven must be.

The actor was very into his art. He was 100% committed to telling this story and doing his characters justice, damn the consequences. This is what Fringe is supposed to be about after all, telling a story you believe in with all your heart even if people don’t like it.

I was one of the ones who didn’t like it. I knew I was in trouble 5 minutes in. A 10 minute long ‘intro’ was played that seemed to go on and on and on. It was a slow weird spoken-word piece that made little sense. This was followed by 5 original songs he poorly sang along to about Jesus that were 10 minutes a piece. This play is so cringe worthy I didn’t know if it was a big joke piece or a serious presentation of the gospel. In a final moment of comedic brilliance, the character comes out in a costume that I can only describe as Dr. Teeth (of Muppets fame) realness. This was my tipping point and it was all I could do to not laugh out loud.

A play that is so bad it doesn’t get the chance to get good, don’t waste your valuable time and money on this show.

Kaitlyn Kriss

It’s Now or Never: My Journey through the Late Middle Ages

Third Act Productions—Pantages Studio

A tale about a man in middle ages…

…WARNING! This is not a show about The Middle Ages in the 10th century. There will be no knights or damsels in distress. There is a (north of) middle-aged man coping with the loss of his physical attributes as the years continue to mount.

How do you deal with life when you find your body starting to forsake you and there’s so much left in the world to discover? You’re well on the decline of life and you have yet to find accomplishment, actualisation and love (untainted love anyway).

Well-spoken and eloquent, Judah Leblang raises questions for those of us who lag a few years behind him, in the (true) middle ages of life with so much left to accomplish, physical parts still working but not as well as once. How about for the Gen-Xer? Ah, you’re still invincible; this won’t apply to you…yet.

Ray Yuen

Graham Clark’s Not Here

Laugh Gallery—Wee Johnny’s

Graham Clark’s stand up show is exactly as advertised. Wanting to ‘cut the cost of fringe’, he has filmed the show, downloaded it on an iPad and strapped that iPad to a helmet. A ‘surrogate’ (Graham under a morph suit) then acts out hand gestures and appropriate body movements while the movie plays on his head.

An interesting take on stand up, this is more of a novelty piece. I appreciate Graham experimenting with the form, I just couldn’t seem to invest myself in the act like I normally do. I love stand up but part of the joy is watching the comedians gestures, body language, and facial expression. I need all three generally to help myself process what’s going on. Graham is hilarious in his own right but I felt this format took some of that away. I liked the material not the format. If I wanted to watch something prerecorded, Netflix and bed sounds a whole lot better than a dark bar.

Kaitlyn Kriss

I Think I’m Dead

Thunder Blunder—Red River College – Roblin Centre

Insomnia, depression, thoughts of suicide. I you’ve experienced any of these, this is the play for you. And even if you haven’t, you will enjoy this show. Nothing that’s going to knock your socks off, but an earnest, true-life sharing of one man’s tribulations, related in a very capable, enjoyable way. No low points and professionally done.

Lisa Campbell

After the Beep

Pamela Bethel—Son of Warehouse

From childhood to adulthood Pamela Bethel takes the audience through her memories with the help of her trusty answering machine tapes. Using a projector the tapes are given closed captions so the audience can read along. The audience gets to listen an laugh as Pamela narrates the before and after of the tapes.

Most of the tapes were funny but she did include some very racist and homophobic ones. This was done for a reason though. She said ‘hiding or pretending they didn’t exist i thought would be untruthful and worse’. She has a point but I still found the tapes incredibly hurtful.

Pamela was very raw and emotional in telling her stories. She didn’t hold back anything and it made me trust her more. The play challenges us to face our past rather than hide or deny it. I think it’s a lesson many need to learn including myself. This is an interesting take on the story-telling genre and I really enjoyed myself.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Conduit

The Body Orchestra—John Hirsch Mainstage

The first sequence opens with eerie music and a motionless body, somewhat contorted. Three zombie-like creatures slink upon the victim and things get creepier from there.

Visually stunning and aurally captivating, this feast for the senses delivers sequences highlighting what the trained body can do—not my body, obviously.

Ray Yuen

Parked

Lady Brain Creative Co.—Pantages Studio

Liz just had the worst day of her life, Hazel the meter maid just had Liz’s car towed. Together they have a lot more in common than they think. Exploring loss and disappointment, this play explores what happens when you don’t succeed, where do you go next when your plans fail, and finding your place in the life.

Beautifully acted, the actors hooked me in right from the get go. I laughed a lot but the play moved me. I resonated with both characters so strongly. I feel this would be true for others at the same stage of life as me (recently graduated or in college still). I have said so many of the plays lines myself and I’m sure others feel he same way.

The only critique I have would be that the actress playing Hazel and Liz’s sister tended to act the same for both characters. I wish there had a been a little more differentiation between the two characters she played. I understand however that this is hard when the character is only in a three minute scene. I feel with a little more polish and tweaking that this can easily be achieved.

This play is a hidden gem of the festival and deserves to be seen by bigger houses. Do yourself a favor and get your tickets now.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Grimm’s Fairer Tales – traditional stories reimagined for a modern age

Stories Alive for Kids—Kids Venue (MTYP Mainstage)

I took this in with three of the grandkids; upon the recommendation of Melanie Gall. “It was quite fun”, says Thoran, 8. He was very talented in the role of king, in Rapunzel. “I really enjoyed that.” Isabella, age 11. She rocked the role of witch in Hansel and Gretel. “Is it over already? Can’t we stay to sing more songs with him?” Anikka, age 6. She seems to have taken a shine to Eden Ballantine from Leeds. He blew my socks off as Don Jose in Carmen, with Gall.

My standard for a good Kids show is if it holds their attention from start to finish. This one meets the bill. So nice to see someone who performs for children in real life. It makes all the difference. Bring your little future Fringers.

Lisa Campbell

Call Girls

Not My Favourite Daughter Productions—School of Contemporary Dancers

Two girls act your every fantasy… for a price. Meet our three heroes who run the phones at CGH: Call Girls Hotline. The play follows the hiring of new girl Jane as she learns the ins and outs (pun totally intended) of phone sex from her two co workers.

This play was hilarious! The actors were perfectly cast. The jokes all landed and the actors had great comedic timing. This talented trio played beautifully off each other. In particular, I liked watching them do an a capella rendition of hot line bling. Being a drake fan they nailed it.

The characters were very fleshed out but I would have liked to see a bit more depth. This is especially true for the character Serenity. She was great as comedic relief, but I found she often became a bit of a stock character. I thought this also applied to her more upbeat partner Tracey as well. Both ladies I felt deserved more backstory and development.

Leave the kids and your parents home for this one. It ain’t your grandmas play. Dirty and raunchy you’re in for a laugh a minute. Especially during the commercial breaks.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Brain Machine

Andrew Bailey—Pantages Studio

Story-teller Andrew Bailey weaves a web of tales, summarised with a series of one-liners that leave the audience laughing. This thought-provoking revelation shines a light on how the best intentions sometimes turn into the worst usage.

Competent and compelling, Bailey’s words keep you gripped throughout the adventure.

Ray Yuen