Just Friends

Lavender Theatre Productions —John Hirsch Mainstage

Refreshing. So absolutely refreshing to see a show at Venue 1 that uses the space to its fullest ability during Fringe. From pen pals to potential partners, “Just Friends” covers the tale of lifelong friends Taylor and Lainey. Both seek refuge in sending letters to each other as they navigate less than ideal relationship statuses.

Score by Amber Landry and Book by Jill Kooymans this tight hour show has exemplary potential for expansion into a full blown musical. With a clear chime and charm, the compelling journey we embark on is relatable and accessible, even if you don’t find yourself a “friend of Dorothy”.

Stephanie Adamov

Erika the Red

Monster Theatre—The King’s Head Pub

The fame, the talent and the legacy of Monster Theatre, Ryan Gladstone, and Tara Travis cannot be overstated. They are legends on the Fringe circuit deserving of greater accolades than anyone could fit into print. But Erika the Red just didn’t work for me.

Tara is an incredibly skilled performer – that is obvious from the moment she takes the stage. So I don’t understand the choice to spend literally half the play making funny faces and speaking in gibberish. It wasn’t initially a bad choice – the first time we met the four vikings she showed us all four of them in order, speaking in gibberish and using very particular mannerisms, she established each of them as the comic relief and we all chuckled. Then the second time one of the vikings spoke, she again showed us all four of them in order, speaking in gibberish with the same mannerisms, and she showed how consistent her characterizations could be. The third time one of the vikings spoke, she again showed us all four of them in order, speaking in gibberish with the same mannerisms, and she established that it would be a running gag. Am I repeating myself? Because the 4th through nth times she did it we were checking our watches.

The conclusion and the build towards it really could have been something epic. It was unfortunately given a third of the attention it needed in favour of showing us what each vikings mannerisms would like while on a boat, then while confused about something, then while on a boat again, then while making friends, then while on a boat again. All four of them, in order, every time. The combination of talents involved in this production give it real potential, but the show needs work.

Shawn Kowalke

Field Zoology 301: Myths & Monsters

Shawn O’Hara—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

Seldom the delinquent student, I was unaware if I would be lost in class having not taken the prerequisites. Luckily, Dr. Brad Gooseberry energetically embraces the warm audience and helps this novice to his previous work feel right at home. He reveals tales of several infamous creatures behind the shelter of a sharpie drawn fire. From start to finish this charismatic creator captivated the crowd. The hand drawn projections teeter the line of cheeky and clever and the self awareness only adds to the charm.

Stephanie Adamov

The Get Laid* Show

The Other V Name Productions—Duke of Kent Legion

Dear Jenny,

I have missed connections from audience members trying to get laid…or a date? (They’ve received their high fives.)

Can you please help me, help these, find their connections? If this is you, email TheGetLaidShow@gmail.com

Fri July 19 show 9pm -#1 I wore a striped blue dress with flowers on it, sunglasses on my head. I received an air high five from the handsome brown hair guy in a teal shirt, he was with three friends.

#2- I was the tall guy with a beard in the red Hawaiian shirt. Interested in the lady who did the date whose name starts with N and another one in the corner of the room with shoulder length brown hair. I think she was wearing grey.

#3- I was wearing a black Gatsby shirt and sitting near the end of the last table on the North side. I had a small blue backpack.

#4- Cute smaller girl in a grey t shirt with a racing car on it. We high fived. I was worried you were much younger than me but I could have just asked and let you decide. I was guy sitting by myself front middle with bright blonde hair.

#5- Wearing the “if you’re flirting with me please let me know” shirt.

Sunday July 21 show 4pm – He’s tall, 6foot? white, some arm Tattoos, lanky, skinny, lighter hair sandy blonde long ish (above the shoulder) he had a tan cowboy hat on when he came in, light eyes?

V

Shadow Necropolis

Mochinosha Puppet Company—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Shadow puppetry magic that is a show the whole family can see that takes on the effects and handling of anxiety in such a beautiful and comforting but also relatable funny way.

This is an amazing company that I don’t understand the physics of how they keep out doing themselves so well year after year.

A sequel to Shadow Kingdom so a certain DJ does reappear.

Thank you for your art.

Veronica Ternopolski

kicked in the end: a magic show

Shawn DeSouza-Coelho—Son of Warehouse

This show was BRILLIANT. I was expecting a magic show, and he definitely delivered. I even participated in one of the first tricks that had my heart rate extremely elevated, but this is also a very compelling and poignant storytelling show. Shawn DeSouza-Coelho shared his story as a performing artist and delivered a powerful message about the nature of theatre as experienced by someone in a visible minority, and the show is a very important discussion about race. I particularly loved the profound wisdom written into the clever and engaging dialogue. It is a very entertaining and moving show, and unconventional in many ways. The last thing I scribbled in my notes was WOW, so make sure you make time for this one. He’s also got a few books available to purchase if you choose regarding aspects of magic and the theatre. I loved it and highly recommend it.

Calantha Jensen

Who Drinks Mocktails on the Beach?!

Painted Fern Productions—Son of Warehouse

The company lists the show as a “musical” but it’s more storytelling than musical. In fact, I may have cut down on the time spent on music and added more to the plot. The intro and development were super but the climax didn’t come until the final minute and there was no actual denouement; it’s implicit and you’re supposed to infer it as a viewer.

For me, it was easy to fill in the gap of the missing denouement but that’s because this tale mirrors my own life in many ways. I just wrote that turning point in my life at age 50-something, and not 20/30-something. It would have been nice to see some reasoning behind her revelation and enlightenment.

Ray Yuen

Letters from a Space Girl in Love

If Only a Dream Productions—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

This show spoke to me like nothing I have EVER seen so far in all my years at this festival. A spoken word show of beautiful prose, Chantal shared a story that resonated with me to a dizzying extent. I was captivated by every single word she spoke. She has somehow found the words to say everything I couldn’t during a period of my life that makes me feel like this show was written FOR me. It felt as though she pulled every syllable from the depths of my soul and I am shaken. To say I loved it is a wild understatement, because this show was EVERYTHING. I wept. This is the kind of show that makes me deeply grateful for the ability theatre has to help us heal and process experiences in our lives that have had an irrevocable impact on who we become. It was beautiful, sincere and I have never felt so deeply and profoundly seen in my entire life. Chantal, thank you.

Calantha Jensen

Bloodline

Taylor Presents —Dave Barber Cinematheque

This very personal one-person dramedy written and performed by Paris Crayton III tells the story of three generations of Paris Craytons, himself, his Father and his Grandfather. The three stories are inter-woven as we see each deal with some key challenges in their lives. It is very well written, both humorous and poignant. Paris easily slips between the 3 roles making each character a distinctive persona. Absolutely a show to be seen, and the unbelievable story of how his Grandfather meets his Grandmother is completely true. Very inspiring.

Murray Hunter

Ragtag Cabaret

Old Cat Parade—Tom Hendry Warehouse

This is a rather random variety show that included stand up comedy, clowning and music. My favourite bit was the tap dancing, and the show was quite silly overall. It felt all over the place, and I can respect that it takes a lot to get up and perform anything in front of an audience. I do feel as though this show could use a bit more cohesion and direction, because I was often confused, but there’s a spot for even shows like this to have their time.

Calantha Jensen