The Seat Next to the King

Root Sky Productions—Alloway Hall – Manitoba Museum

From Brandon based Root Sky productions, The Seat Next to the King is a drama focusing on the harassed and paranoid existence of gay men at the height of the Civil rights era, featuring two figures deeply implicated in the political scene of the time. Focusing more heavily on Bayard Rustin, close collaborator of MLK Jr. than Walter Jenkins, aide to the sitting president, the fear of brutal police oppression, both due to homosexuality and deeply racist police, that both men experience is very well explored. Well written and performed, the show is definitely closer to 60 minutes than the listed 75.

If you’re in the mood for a politically charged drama, this is a great choice.

Josh Fidelak

EVERYBODY

Actors Studio—The Gargoyle Theatre

I took a little more time to write this review because this particular show left me with a lot to think about. Based on old and ancient material, EVERYBODY is a morality play, where the characters are grappling with the concept of death. It is presented in such a fun, unexpected and creative way. We see abstract concepts personified, with metaphor and poetry given a sort of literal and tangible presence on stage or placed around the room.

The reason it took a bit longer to write my thoughts is largely due to the nature of what was being performed. The opportunity to consider our own mortality, reflect on how we spent our lives, and what comes next is a lot of food for thought. I am impressed with the clever writing, loved the delivery and how the show was designed. I took notes during the show, and the word fascinating was scribbled several times. I love a good moral of the story moment, and this show has some very important ones. A very entertaining, unique and engaging show!

Calantha Jensen

Gangland Productions

Good Grief—MTC Up the Alley

If you see only 77 shows at fringe this year, make Good Grief #77. Good Grief is a very funny show about very sad things and it follows James as he learns to love his mother only after his father dies. There are laughs, tears, and fart sound fx. Come get real and get real silly.

The Tempest

Indifferently Reformed—Royal Albert Arm

I’ve been a huge Shakespeare fan for decades. I’ve acted in plays, I’ve studied Shakespeare in University, and I’ve even written some Shakespeare-themed shows. “The Tempest” is my favorite of them all, the last show Shakespeare wrote, and his magnum opus, in my opinion. I’m always hesitant whenever I see a production of this masterpiece, for fear of what could happen to it. No worries here. Indifferently Reformed brings a youthful cast bubbling with energy and joyous enthusiasm to the stage, accompanied by live music and wonderfully directed by Jordan Phillips. The result is seventy-five minutes of giddy pleasure that breezes past far too quickly, and left me thinking “wait…it’s over already?” The entire cast shines, embracing their roles with evident glee that’s impossible not to become swept up with. Well-staged, wonderfully acted, and perfectly paced, “The Tempest” is not to be missed!

Mike Seccombe

Art by Dave Pruden

We have made it to Sunday. We have over 70 shows reviewed as of Noon Sunday. We also got a review of a venue from Kim Zeglinski raising important issues about venue 17’s seating arrangement. Not too shabby all considering. Keep those reviews coming. Apologies if it takes us awhile to reply to your emails, we are usually out seeing shows or elsewhere around the Fringe during the day and evening, so it is usually late when we get to respond. I’ll keep this short as I am headed back out there to enjoy the end of the first weekend of the Fringe. We also have some words from Ray Yuen, our Review Coordinator.

Murray Hunter

Every Fringe year, as soon as a patron finds out I’m a Jenny Reviewer, a question immediately arises. You can guess what the question is, right? Exactly:
“What’s your favourite show?”
To that question, I always have one answer:
“Read the Jenny!”
Then they rephrase:
“If you could only see one show, what would it be?”

In my real life, I’m also a restaurant reviewer. You can imagine how many times I get the question, “what’s your favourite restaurant?” The truth is: you cannot compare. You cannot compare sushi to Chinese, jerk to Thai, Cajun to Italian, nor rack of lamb to bratwursts. The same applies here: you cannot compare a dance show to improv, a musical to storytelling, nor skits to songs. Most of all—you cannot compare tastes. I like what I like, and you like what you like. I may hate what you like, and you may hate what I like. Even if we like the same things, how do we rank them? Certainly not with stars, not around here anyway. So what’s the answer? What’s your favourite show?

Read the Jenny!

Ray Yuen

Mail Ordered

Shanice Stanislaus—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I loved this show. I was still laughing half the way home after leaving the theatre. Shanice Stanislaus is amazing, she had the audience laughing by just making a look of utter contempt at one of the audience members when they answered one of her questions to the crowd in a way that did not please her. The physicality of her dancing was also superb.

One of the most fun shows I have seen this year, I highly recommend it.

Murray Hunter

Six Chick Flicks

PKF Productions—PTE – Mainstage

Jokes fly a mile a minute in this action packed parody of six chick flicks you know and love. This show was incredible. I cried I laughed so hard. The jokes were so well written and the impressions were spot on. The jokes were original and fresh which I loved! This is the show I will be telling everyone I know to come see. An amazing show with so much heart and so much energy. It was non stop fun. Run to see this play!

Kaitlyn Kriss

The FOOL

Monster Theatre—The King’s Head Pub

Join our antihero Clod as he relates the misadventures that landed him in the King’s dreadful dungeon. Skillfully executed by the wonderful Jon Paterson, this tale is full of clever malapropisms and good intentions that backfire with truly horrific consequences. But just when we think all hope is lost for our foolishly optimistic Fool, tables turn in a most delicious way!

Lisa Campbell

The Murky Place

Subscatter Productions—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Three discrete segments comprise this dance performance. The first starts a bit slowly but after it reaches full throttle, the movement looks beautifully stunning. It also feels spooky and eerie as it develops.

The second segment depicts the struggle of our mind against enslavement: restraints and constraints of technology, demands, society and our own bodies. The spectacular grace and agility keeps the water enchanted.

The final segment continues the theme, although the feel completely veers into a different direction. This segment is beyond description, so I won’t even try.

The intro is so subdued, the sounds of the air vents drown out the speaker—I hope they project better for future performances because it is very hard to hear.

Ray Yuen

Old God

Splash Time—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall

Absolutely packed to the gills with jokes, dancing, heretical theology, clownery, general mayhem, abuse, harassment, profanity, deep and horrific obscenity, history, crass commercialism, uncomfortable silence, murder, summary executions, genitalia, misogyny and various other grand narratives that will enrich your life. Real Fringe art, is what I’m saying. Go see it.

Josh Fidelak