Aliens of Extraordinary Ability

Crosseyed Rascals—One88

The Crosseyed Rascals are back for the Fringe with another improv show! Like always, the range of games was really nice to see. Some of my favourites were featured and I laughed lots. A small house made for a rougher show. The thing about improv is you really need an audience willing to play along. Because of low numbers the Rascals had to grasp at quite a few straws. Luckily they were able to spin some gold from very little straw. A good option for families wanting some relatively clean improv.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Always Because: The Adventures of Maggie and Meghan

Us <3—The Cinematheque

This person has toxic masculinity and it correlates with them having a Bachelors’ Degree in Public Policy. I have a Masters’ Degree in the stuff; what does that say about my toxic masculinity! Yikes!

Because we share the field, I related very closely to some of the “realisms” that were presented, completely understood them, and the challenges deriving from them. I’ve even tried on many occasions to eliminate some of those toxic fibres from the public systems, and I wish it could be a lot easier said than done.

That’s just one facet to this show—don’t think that it’s all going to be dry schlock about public administration. There’s a lot of fun here too. And they seem like they’re genuinely in love. Good on them!

Ray Yuen, M.P.A.

90 Lies an Hour: Paul Strickland

Paul Strickland Presents—MTYP – Mainstage

Storytelling is a calling Paul Strickland was born to do. His rich voice oozes southern comfort aiding in his retelling of some old families lies (aka stories). Think redneck meets spoken word poetry. Paul seamlessly moved between perspectives as he presents his Ain’t True and Uncle False. While the stories maybe true lies, the emotion and heart behind the stories were all 100% genuine. I loved getting sucked in to 4 wonderful stories. A great family show to enjoy.

Kaitlyn Kriss

The Smallest Stupid Improv Show

The Improv Company—Alloway Hall – Manitoba Museum

Can improv be done as a one-man show? Stephen Sim is here to test that theory with his smaller version of the Big Stupid Improv show. A veteran of the improv scene, Sim’s years of experience flourish here as he seamlessly plays all the parts himself while putting together the entire show with no help. It’s hard to believe it’s not a scripted show with Sim never missing a beat through this tight 45 minute show. The improv itself was great but the show did lack the frantic energy improv shows normally have. The energy is usually due to the various actors having to figure it out together on the spot. The energy wasn’t as high as I would have liked but I still found myself laughing lots. A neat concept explored by a very talented improviser.

Kaitlyn Kriss

A is for Anxiety Apples

B12 Theatre Productions—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall

The cast of four do a good job in showing how anxiety affects people differently. In a series of short scenes they cover just some of the fears and physical symptoms that one who suffers anxiety can experience. There is enough humour to balance out the serious side, with a short stand-up bit and when some of the cast personify anxiety making life difficult on other cast members. One of the most important scenes to me was demonstrating how mental health issues are not taken care of properly or promptly by our existing emergency care system. Both informative and entertaining.

Murray Hunter

I Lost on Jeopardy

So Lonely Productions—Alloway Hall – Manitoba Museum

What do you do when your big moment comes and doesn’t go as planned? Do you give up and become bitter or choose a different narrative. This is the essential question at the heart of George Buri’s one man show recounting his time losing on the show Jeopardy. This inspiring tale was jam packed with cool behind the scenes moments of Jeopardy and nerdy jokes. George knows a lot about everything, which might prove for an insufferable personality; but he is so charming, you root for him every step of the way. An engaging and heartwarming story that is sure to connect with everyone. A wonderful gem to sit and listen to.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Teaching Shakespeare

Doctor Keir Co.—Planetarium

Keir cutler’s monologue show observes a Shakespeare professor in the middle of a nervous breakdown desperately trying to reach his students after receiving a series of bad course evaluations. Unfortunately, the professor is beyond help in this parody of bad education. The play was interesting and raised some fun points about the Bard’s greatest works. Keir is clearly passionate about the subject of his play and critical of his colleagues who so often butcher teaching the Bard. While I understand this was a parody, I did find that parody became reality as parts of the play seemed to drone on. I felt like I was at a lecture which was the point of the show. This made it hard to sit through the very wordy piece in front of me. I was often lost throughout the show.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Sidetrack Bandits Sketch Comedy

Sidetrack Bandits—The Studio at Le Théâtre Cercle Molière

This show was delightful! I love sketch comedy for its ability to create short scenes of such commitment to a bit and a fun out of context nature. We never know what’s about to happen and we’re presented with scenes that very quickly take on such life and energy and hilarity. This group performs so well together and the ideas in this show were brilliant. They nearly had me falling out of my seat laughing and I loved it!! Go see these guys!

Calantha Jensen

Specimen Sherman

Dark Horse Theatre—Cre8ery

I love the writing talents of Mike Seccombe and Specimen Sherman was no exception. The script is witty, fast paced and has a delightful message by the end of it (something I was not expecting …although truth be told, I didn’t know what to expect!). The acting talent was wonderful – I fully believed the characters, and was rooting for all of them (except for the overlord dude … believed, but didn’t root for- sorry Karl!). This was an all around fun, well presented show. I look forward to future Dark Horse productions!

Siobhan Keely

The Sherlock Holmes Experience

The Best Medicine Productions—221B Baker St.

I just want to say to Shelby, thank you for creating this particular piece. Unique from other shows included in this festival, this is a self-guided, interactive scavenger hunt type mystery that audience members are given the opportunity to solve! Arriving at 221B Baker street (aka Pantages) audience members are given the material to help Sherlock solve a case! This can be done within the time slot specified in the program, or at the participant’s leisure. I love that it is a fun way to spend time between time slots while waiting for a show, it gets folks exploring the Exchange and working through the puzzle, and provides and element of intrigue and adventure to our days! I think it’s a brilliant idea and I hope to see more interactive things like this in the future.

Calantha Jensen