The BUZZ – Reviews – 2014

Tragedy + Time Served = Comedy

Tragedy + Time Served = Comedy—Red River College

Mark Hughes true life story is crazier and more fascinating than any TV drama could ever be.  This story telling show made me feel every emotion. The very charismatic Hughes made me feel that every word he was saying needed to be heard. The show on the whole made me feel sad, but as soon as the audience would be about to burst into tears, Hughes wins us back with a well timed, off the wall joke. The jokes are guaranteed to offend you at some point. There is no denying the fact that some you will not like but as he explains to us throughout, you have to cope with the horrors of life somehow, and comedy is it for him. Picture it like cards against humanity but with prison! A great show and I can’t wait to see the sequel. DO. NOT. MISS. THIS. SHOW.

Kaitlyn Kriss

The City That Eats You

Squirrels At War—WAG

This show had a very interesting concept, and it gave me the idea that a hive mind must be a horrifying thing to experience.

The two actresses played it exceptionally well, both of them sifting through what must have been pages of exceptionally poetic dialogue to give the impression that they were examining memories.

Unfortunately, this show may not be for everyone, but is worth looking into. It is well acted, abstract, and very well written.

Arden Pruden

Caws & Effect

Mind of a Snail Puppet Co.—MTC Up the Alley

Chloé Ziner and Jessica Gabriel are back with another shadow puppet show, this time with two overhead projectors, a larger screen and larger venue. I really enjoyed their show Against Gravity last year, and this one was even better. They tell the life story of a couple of crows, which they make into a fantastical visual display that is comprised of artistically layered backgrounds and the shadow outlines of the various creatures in the story. There is more physical theatre in this year’s show, especially at the beginning, which is a nice addition. They also created the soundtrack which blends nicely with the action on the screen.

Murray Hunter

La Belle Laide

Lady of the Lake—Warehouse

The choreography in this show was wonderful, and very clever, but I felt as though the piece couldn’t decide whether it was physical theatre or dance.

It felt like both at times, and at times neither one or the other. It was short, and it told a short story with some level of success, but I felt that dance was the wrong medium for what they were trying to do.

A nice effort on their part but it was hard to focus on what was happening.

Arden Pruden

Best Picture

RibbitRePublic Theatre—Planetarium

These people got the buzz going before the show even started, going around the line-up and picking random people to be random celebrities, setting the mood clearly.

The show itself what hilarious, While it is true that, unless you had seen every best picture since the Oscars started, you wouldn’t get all the jokes they were making, it was still an exceptionally funny and very well put together show.

The transitions between movies were seamless, and it truly was amazing to watch. Lives up to its name, this show.

Arden Pruden

Expiration Date

SunsetGun Productions—Rachel Browne Th. (Crocus)

This is another show with the tough subject matter of cancer and impending death, so it may not be for everyone.

However, it is a very powerful, well-written play that is expertly performed. Candy Simmons wrote and performs this one woman show in which the main character has found out she has her own Expiration Date due to an aggressive cancer.

We then see her struggles in dealing with knowing she does not have much time. Additionally, we see some deep emotional wounds from the past that are brought forward again, as her mother also died of the same disease.

There are a few funny moments and some other uplifting scenes scattered throughout which helps lighten the mood.

Murray Hunter

Trouble Walked In: An Improvised Noir Mystery

Parking Lots Improv—Cinematheque

In this particular improv show we only need to give them the event. It seems as though the characters are already planned, which definitely works to fill in the ‘noir’ portion of the title.

The flow was excellent, and at times it almost felt like the scenes were scripted. They have a collectively dry sense of humour, and when this is the case for the entire group it’s incredibly easy for them all to play off of each other. They really know what they’re doing. It’s definitely worth seeing.

Arden Pruden

340 ft

Winnipeg Shibari Th. Co.—RRC (enter on William)

The show opens with an obviously affectionate couple entering their living room, sharing a drink and a cuddle.

Then the woman opens a cupboard and brings her partner the bundles of rope.

He ties her up with obvious affection checking regularly on her comfort and stroking her gently between knots.

This is the first introduction the audience is given to the art of Shibari, and this same couple continues through the entire performance—the woman left bound still during other set pieces and tied in increasingly complex and demanding poses until a stunning finale—but with the man always checking and double-checking her comfort and or consent.

The second set piece, involving a seemingly unwilling victim, is far less comfortable, although it has some aspects—the woman’s alleged offense and her pleas for Superman (an audience member) to come save her—that suggests it’s a fantasy role play scene.

There’s nothing actually shown that proves her consent. While it would be difficult to include in the scene, a preview or a follow-up scene would do much to remove the obvious discomfort of watching apparent non-consent.

The third scene, begun while the narrator explains the history of Shibari, is a gorgeous demonstration of suspension and nearly spiritual calm and probably the most attractive and acceptable to viewers uncomfortable with either the erotic consent or the possible unconsent.

Overall, a fascinating demonstration. My largest complaint is that all the submissives are female and all those doing the binding are male. This is not true in either the greater BDSM or Shibari communities and it would improve things greatly to include either a femaile dominant pair or a same sex pair of either gender, nor do I think this would be in any way problematic for any audience already willing to look at a demonstration of Shibari.

Leonara Rose Patrick

340 ft

Winnipeg Shibari Th. Co.—RRC (enter on William)

When you see a performance that is classified as “unclassifiable” it makes you want to see it, if you are a true Fringer. This is an experience, not a play.

No program, but if you are a prude you will be scandalized, and if you are adventurous you will never forget this. A tender, thought-provoking, and totally different presentation dealing with the Japanese art of rope bondage known as Shibari, which was originally a form of humanely restraining prisoners and evolved into a form of bondage that actually hits healing spots and is extremely sensual.

The audience was so cute on the way out; smiles from ear-to-ear, yet not wanting to make eye contact with anyone else. Unlike any other thing I have ever seen at the Fringe, and I’ve seen more than most. The five-member cast handled a subject most would never attempt with the utmost skill and charm. Fringe on!

Lisa Campbell

2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick: A Dirk Darrow Investigation

Sideshow A GoGo—Son of Warehouse

This man plays the audience exceptionally well, and I suppose that’s necessary when you’re a magician. But in addition to that, he is an incredible performer.

He has a way of always leaving people guessing, and seems to have some snide comment (that ultimately will be funny) for every possible situation. Go see this man. He’s incredible.

Arden Pruden