The Dreams of Nebuchadnezzar

Gerauschbiest—CCFM Pauline-Boutal Hall

I am so disappointed…

…that this show only lasted 45 minutes. I was so taken by this spectacle that I could have watched it all day.

Recently, I came upon a German folk, darkwave band called Faun and I instantly fell in love with them. A big part of it is the instruments, which deviates greatly from the ubiquitous bands, include appearances by the hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, cittern, nyckelharpa, and many others. As soon as entered the venue, I saw Gerauschbiest’s odd assortment of instruments and I was immediately intrigued. Then the fun started with a combination of ethereal music, moody visuals and transcendent movement.

Give me more!

Ray Yuen

friendzone

Megan Phillips—Creative Manitoba

Written and performed by Sherri Elle, this is a deeply honest and uncomfortable view of what the friend zone looks like from the other side of the emotional manipulation and gaslighting. Four stories up in 245 McDermot, it isn’t the easiest venue to reach, however the small space provided to Sherri is definitely explored to great effect. [Editor Note: Ask the Fringe volunteers for the elevator if needed] There were some issues I had with the writing, namely the usage of mouth made static to replace certain names and places which grew a bit grating, but the back and forth conversations that comprised the bulk of the story were definitely well handled despite being a one woman show. It’s been a theme of this Fringe for me to recommend people read the content warnings, but uh, read the content warnings.

Josh Fidelak

Private Parts: The Secrets We Keep

Gravity Theatre—The Studio at Le Théâtre Cercle Molière

Johanna Ranelli is a completely capable, charming actor; especially cute when she plays herself as a child. This show is like a good essay. She states the premise, provides good evidence (storyline) and sums up her point well in the conclusion.

However, I feel a tightening of the script would benefit the play and the audience. There is too much repetition. We only need to be told once that she pooped the bed at 7 years old; not over and over. She has a beautiful, moving story that could be more effectively told in less time, as I, and others I talked to, felt it dragging at points. There are no flaws in her performance. I would love to see her in future endeavours.

Lisa Campbell

Dangerous Mind

Strange Danger—Planetarium

There’s a classic kind of Fringe one man show, where a comedian makes light of a dark, personal struggle, buoying the content with jokes and self-deprecation. This is one of those shows, but never seemed to lean hard enough in either direction. While the exploration through comedian Scott Porteous’s life, anxieties, and addiction are worthwhile, the show needs a stronger through-line of these events, making the show itself fall flat.

Josh Fidelak

Pool (No Water)

10…9…8… Productions—CCFM Pauline-Boutal Hall

Sometimes, I smoke a lot of dope and I have no idea what just happened, but I had a good time. That’s what happened to me here. I have no idea what I just watched, but I still had a good time. The audience responded with standing applause—I guess they had a good time too.

Ray Yuen

Barry Potter and the Magic of Wizardry

Dirk Darrow Investigations—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

Australian Tim Motley (magically cursed with an American accent) returns with a new concept, deviating from his Fringe favourite persona of detective Dirk Darrow.

Tim is great with the audience and kind and gentle with nervous and sometimes unwilling audience recruits. There’s no doubt he’s a master of card tricks and sleight of hand, but his running through the whole card deck bit went on too long and the natives were getting restless (especially the younger ones).

His final trick with the envelope was Crazy Good and was a great finale. I’ve seen every one of his shows, and to be honest, really want Dirk back! When you have a great recipe, you don’t mess with it!

Lisa Campbell

The Comaback Kid

Lykos Theatre—Théâtre Cercle Molière

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I sat down in this theatre. Is this a comedy that will split my sides with laughter? Or a soul-searching journey that tugs at the heartstrings? Psst: it’s the latter.

I would have called this journey “brave” but de Jong says it’s not, so I won’t.

Ray Yuen

Creating Rem Lezar

Rem Lezar Theatre—John Hirsch Mainstage

Creating Rem Lezar is a 1989 direct to video musical for kids. It’s 48 minutes long and has since the mid aughts built an online cult following. Creating Rem Lezar is a 2023 fringe show musical for kids. It’s 42 minutes long, entirely follows the film, and I have no clue who this is for. Well, I know who it’s for, but it’s for a very particular kind of person who likes online content about “so bad it’s good” movies from the 80s. For kids the plot could be a bit twee, and for adults who aren’t in the know there were some technical flubs and the general kid musical aesthetic isn’t something most enjoy. If this sounds like your jam I think you’ve already seen it by now, but if you haven’t, it’s what it says on the tin. My partner, who this was made for, watched it with me and she said that the actor playing Rem Lazar did a better job than in the original film. Take from that what you will.

Josh Fidelak

BOOKMARKS

Local Rascal Productions—Théâtre Cercle Molière

The words flow effortless from Raymond, all with poetic ease. There’s something about the words he chooses that makes the delivery sound elegant and graceful. This is a ludicrously fun story that’s beautifully told.

Ray Yuen

Fake ‘n’ Bake

Oh Hello Productions!—John Hirsch Mainstage

All I have to say is wow. Ellie’s physicality is amazing, and I was never confused about what character she was portraying. Her switches between characters was so clear, and you could easily tell when she’s being the voices in her head as opposed to outside characters. Her set was very effective, and I’m really happy with how much she utilized it to further her story. I would recommend this show to anyone and everyone, it was funny, and heartfelt, and sad, and all around a wonderful show and so very raw and real.

Al Gilbert