Charged Conversations

Black Cat Productions—Dave Barber Cinematheque

Listed run time is 45 minutes but actual run time was only 31 minutes. The write-up talks about and EV charging station and paranormal phenomena, but there isn’t really cogent connection between the two.

The two themes seem to remain disparate and discrete through most of the show.

The gags are fun enough but they need some exploration, development and expansion. As is, it seems we have an intro, a situation, and the climax comes too soon.

The Ouija looks fun but if you’re not in the front row, you don’t see it. They may have propped it up on chairs but it’s still well below eye level for the audience. You desperately need an easel or even a tall bar stool.

This is a good premise that opens doors to the potential of fun and whacky situations but this ghost needs some flesh.

Ray Yuen

Ringmaster

Hijinx Drama Club Inc.—Théâtre Cercle Molière

This show is a story of a man caught in a tangled web of intrigue, conspiracy and betrayal, told through the eyes of the women surrounding him. There are beautiful moments of song and comedy, and you can tell the cast is having a lot of fun. I enjoyed the choreography and cover songs written into the context of this narrative. I think the show would benefit from a bit more rehearsal time, but it was endearing and funny and earnest.

Calantha Jensen

Buying Bacon

Cagey Productions—Dave Barber Cinematheque

Ken Gordon and John Bent Jr. play Nick and Chuck who are sitting at their kitchen table hosting their Happy Hour Shenanigans YouTube show. They just talk about various topics with some slides and videos to help visualize things.

The first topic was how lack of math skills is allowing corporations to short change us through Shrinkflation and Skimpflation. It was a somewhat disheartening feeling when they start to show the math and unit pricing, especially seeing the huge increase in price for the title product Bacon. Being of about the same vintage as those two gentlemen, I found myself thinking “I hope they show Chunky Soup” and it was on the list. As was Cadbury Easter Creme Eggs.

The final topic was the unusual sport of “Ferret Legging”. The key to success in the sport is to keep the Ferrets well fed, though I am sure you want to feed them a sausage free diet.

All in all, it was a funny and informative visit with them.

Murray Hunter

Assistance

Hot Rejects Productions —CCFM Salle Pauline-Boutal

This was a wild, extremely entertaining ride. We are dropped into the middle of a fast paced office environment, and the chaos energy is very visceral. A script filled with engaging dialogue, we witness several assistants to a seemingly diabolical boss scramble to keep his life in order. I feel as though the show is a vivid demonstration of the cult of personality, and the raw moments of humanity experienced by those that are driven to heed someone superior’s every beck and call. Its a world very unfamiliar to me, having worked in very few office settings, but I appreciated the aspects of the workplace culture that I still found relatable. Thoroughly entertaining and well written, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who’s ever had the thought “I do not get paid enough for this”. It’s a very fun show.

Calantha Jensen

The Big Big Improv Show

Leap Before You Look—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

I think probably the greatest compliment I could say about this show is that they had Colin Mochrie as a guest star, and the highlight was still a local performer.

Adopting the frame of 4 directors creating an improvised storyline, chapter by chapter, each chapter they’re weeded out by audience vote until only one story is left and able to actually reach its conclusion. Featuring a massive stable of improvisers in order to give each story the room to really breathe and fill out main characters without overlap. Extremely strong improvisers all, the last storyline featured Colin as a scientist and local performer Caity Curtis as his AI creation, Curtis stealing the show. Absolutely solid as always and highly recommended.

Josh Fidelak

Strokes of Genius

Captain Ted: Disabled Pirate—One88

Join wheelchair user Captain Ted and his crew of self-declared disabled misfits on the maiden voyage of the dreaded ship ‘The Inclusion!’ Cheer them on as they search for treasure, navigate life’s challenges on the sea and clash with other pirates as they earn their right to be called a legitimate scourge of the seven seas.

It’s an accessible venue with ALL shows ASL interpreted. Yar!

Identity Crisis

prizm productions—CCFM Salle Pauline-Boutal

This piece was a very enjoyable exploration into the nature of being and one’s understanding of their sense of self. With an ethereally philosophical theme, we are taken through the zodiac, presented with deep reflective questions, beautiful songs, and clever clowning. Alyssa has created a beautifully bizarre piece of theatre that is perfectly Fringe in its compelling nature and strangeness. I was captivated by the first moments of the piece, with lighting and sounds that drew me in and had me puzzling through the thoughts and ideas she presented. I loved it.

Calantha Jensen

7 Minutes In Kevin

Wackatoolis Incorporated—Red River College Polytechnic

Life got you down? Overwhelmed by the incessant horrors and struggles of existence? Then Kevin Gillese’s irreverent comedic stylings might be just what you need. His beautifully structured, mostly-solo show combines storytelling, one-liners, musical interludes, and endlessly self-deprecating humour into a thoroughly enjoyable hour of entertainment. From the delightfully absurd, self-aware sketch-style opening to the shockingly touching finale, this show doesn’t ask you to look on the bright side of life. However, some light might sneak through the cracks by the end, whether you want it to or not.

Ashley Frantik

Chase Padgett: Grab Bag Cabaret

Chase Padgett—PTE – Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage

I haven’t had a chance in previous years to see a performance by a man who’s reputation precedes him after hearing how 6 Guitars and Nashville Hurricane took previous Fringes by storm. I’ve finally had a chance and I am thrilled I did. This year’s show differs greatly from previous work of Padgett’s, as he has created it to include bits and pieces of ideas and projects he’s been working on that never quite fit together anywhere else. The audience gets to choose which parts he does by choosing a card, making the show different every night. The cabaret style shows allow for so much variety and creativity in what art is presented, and the parts shared in this show are extremely enjoyable. An hour filled with marvellous musicianship, heartfelt storytelling, and plenty of laughter, this is not a show to miss!

Calantha Jensen

UNSUNG: The Accidental Villains of History

Duck and Roll Theatre—Planetarium

The cast of four sing their way through 7 stories of ‘Accidental Villains’ after an opening number that provides a synopsis of those whose stories they will be featuring. A couple of the first ones are the person contracted to build and install life boats on the Titanic, and the person who causes the 1929 Stock Market Crash.

The songs by Mackenzie Langdon have great lyrics and the group perform very well together with very good harmonies. The only nit to pick, was sometimes the accompanying music was louder than the singing, even though they are mic’ed up.

Murray Hunter