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The Blabbermouth, the Puff Monster, and the Wolf
Merlyn Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse
I had sincerely no idea what to expect walking into this show; I chose it more or less at random, but as I sat in a theatre filled with lively Ukrainian folk music, I couldn’t help but feel like this was a special treat! I have Ukrainian roots on my mom’s side and have been involved with Ukrainian folk dance most of my life, but I’m afraid I’ve otherwise been rather distant from the culture. This is a storytelling show featuring three favourite tales of Ukrainian children’s folklore. What I love about shows like these are the ways that I can recognize elements and themes of stories and folklore common across cultures, which hold lessons and messages not only for the children they are intended, but serve a purpose to preserve our histories and wisdom.
Considering the current conflict overseas as well, it was beautiful to see Ukraine celebrated and its culture shared in this festival. As for me, it was wonderful to learn children’s stories that I didn’t know and reconnect to the music I love. Music, stories and parables are important to all of us, and sharing them is how we keep our heritage alive and connect with one another. A very sweet show.
Calantha Jensen
Lia & Dor
Catun—Pyramid Cabaret
I was intrigued to see our first production from Romania. It’s not, as the program leads you to believe, a one woman show. I’m bewildered why no credit was given to Christina Tudor’s able co-star, Alexander Forsyth.
This was charming, well-executed and held my attention throughout. This is a show for almost everyone, from astute tweens to seniors. Very young kids might get antsy.
Tudor’s voice is delightful, as she treats us to many Romanian folk songs; and Forsyth accompanies her capably. I just wish I understood the language. Her graceful movements hint at a dance background; and show off her lovely traditional costume. The puppets were wonderful, beautifully crafted and added immensely to the interwoven folktales. I found the whole production to be thoughtfully and intelligently presented. This was a colourful, entertaining surprise!
This Thursday show was woefully under attended. What a shame as this venue has a great lineup and is a super place to park for the night and see the whole wonderful lineup. The staff is friendly and accommodating, and there are interesting beers on tap. Do yourself a favour and visit Venue 22!
Lisa Campbell
The Dungeons ‘n’ Dragons Improv Show XIV
Miki Media—The Gas Station Arts Centre
If you’ve never seen or heard of this show, you’ve been living under a rock. Smashing the d20 and melting pot fantasy of D&D with comedy improv. For anyone who truly hates improv, the loose story and continuity could give you more to connect with, and the night after night progression is absolutely a plus for anyone who enjoys the genre. As an aside, I truly do not understand the Fringe’s system for labelling shows as new or not. Just because they didn’t do the 13th D&D Improv show again a second time doesn’t mean it’s “new”. C’est la Vie.
Josh Fidelak
Grease, Too!
Tyson Comedy—The Cinematheque
Arriving at the venue, I was welcomed by the artist to “her” basement, as she excitedly gets us ready for a Grease movie marathon. Pass the Oreos, you BET we’re going to sing along.
It was a heartfelt experience, seeing both films at lightning speed through the eyes of an 11 year old girl. Her endearing, comedic explanations of the film have a sweet sort of innocence despite adult content. I’ve had my own opinions about the first film (I hadn’t seen the second one) and have been critical at times about its message. But to see how the little girl saw Sandy as a feminist presented me with an opportunity to reconsider my understanding. A young girl experiencing struggles of her own can escape into beloved films that provide her with a safe space to be herself and love the things she’s into. It’s certainly something I can relate to. Kid’s have an uncanny ability to have honest clarity and see right through to the heart of things while other things fly right over their heads, as is often appropriate. It was so refreshing to see the films from a new perspective in a funny, relatable way, while also touching on far more serious themes. There’s wisdom here that I very much appreciate. Grease is the word!!
Calantha Jensen
The Last Five Years
Hot Reject Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse
I thought The Last Five Years was fantastic, the actors had beautiful chemistry together, and I loved how accurately they depicted the relationship. I thought the turning of the boxes to show the passage of time was soooo smart and really helped me understand what was going on and when.
The singing was great and the acting was phenomenal. Overall great show.
Al Gilbert
The Tempest
Indifferently Reformed—Royal Albert Arms
The large cast did an admirable job performing the Shakespeare play, and aside from a few character gender switches, seemed to keep to the standard script. The show was accompanied by live music which combined with some great costumes enhanced the performance.
David Lange was well suited to the role of Prospero and was a standout. Well worth seeing if you are a Shakespeare fan.
Murray Hunter
Tree
Natasha Mercado—The Cinematheque
Normally I start a review saying a bit about the show but this is a special case in that I can’t really tell you what it was about. The show didn’t really have a plot and theatre was the entire point. It was just pure fun. This show was exactly what Fringe is about, seeing something weird and amazing that you would never see anywhere else. The actor committed to the bit so hard that the audience bought in immediately. The show was creative, daring, and gut-bustingly funny! It’s audience participation that you will be leaping at the chance to join in. This is definitely a can’t miss show and proper clown fun.
Kaitlyn Kriss
Long Night of the American Dream
Concrete Drops Theatre—Alloway Hall – Manitoba Museum
A show about a show about a show. For any fans of Martin Dockery, this is an absolute must see. Featuring the same cast and director as last year’s The Stakeout, Andrew Broaddus and Martin Dockery, with Vanessa Quesnelle directing, the same meta impulses are on full display to great effect. Without getting into any spoilers, the dialog is superb, an extremely strong back and forth patter with constant callbacks and repeated motifs, and the characters reveal a ton of depth over the show’s progression that is hidden by the show’s seemingly simple structure and character beats. Superb, and definitely one that both deserves to sell out every performance, and will, reader beware.
Josh Fidelak
Comedy Illusions of Greg Wood
The Magician’s Apprentices—Calvary Temple
Greg Wood has become a Fringe Family Show regular over the last 15 years with his comedy and magic. This year he teams up with a couple of award-winning young magicians to present a fast paced comedy illusion show sure to please audiences of all ages.
Comedy, illusions, audience participation (some of the cutest parts of the show) all add up to a wonderful family experience.
Autistic Productions
How I Met My Neurodivergent Friend—Théâtre Cercle Molière
Adam Schwartz set out to make a friend, and wound up making several.
By asking itself how to adapt to the individual, How I Met My First Neurodivergent Friend removed barriers to participation for its participants, onstage and offstage. This has created opportunities for some individuals with disabilities and who identify as neurodivergent to return to theatre, to learn something to use in their emerging careers, or to create a sense of being involved with, working on a, and belonging to a Fringe show, while forging new friendships and…of course, enjoying many laughs.