The Buzz – Reviews

Midnight

Meraki Theatre Productions—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall

Earlier in the day (Tuesday), I heard someone say that every seating for this show is already, completely sold out. Someone suggested it was because of the music of Taylor Swift. I certainly hope not. Don’t
get me wrong: I like Swift and a lot of her music (including the country stuff), but I don’t want to see a dozen shows next year feature her music because she’s so big right now, and everything she touches (or doesn’t even touch) turns to gold. I could hardly believe it when I picked up my ticket (a full one hour before showtime) and there’s a lineup a dozen people deep waiting to get in already. This could very well be the most highly anticipated show I’ve ever seen.

The preshow “show” is nice to have as people wedge themselves into this tight, table-setting theatre. The actual show is sometimes hard to hear. There’s a considerable sized cast, some with strong voices, and some where I have a lot of trouble hearing them (and I’m sitting in the front third of the theatre). They should seriously consider micing up the players.

The show only runs an actual 40 minutes, and it could easily run a full hour. There certainly is no
shortage of repertoire of Swift songs from which to choose. I’m certain the segue for I Knew You Were Trouble came, yet the song never followed. I suspect they cut it last minute.

For a couple of the songs, the pitch seems a lot faster than it should be. Watching the singers, it feels like they’re speed-singing, the way you would if you’re running out of time. The conclusion seems a tad rushed, and it would be great to see a bit more denouement than a simple, one-line closing from “the prince.”

I love the alternate ending. It would have felt very wrong to see the traditional ending, suggesting the only way a woman can get out of a rough situation is by the grace of a man.

Did the show deliver on its lofty expectations? Not quite for me, but my expectations before the show were likely unachievable. I didn’t realise this company has a mandate of providing opportunity and development for youth. I felt this show had a high school production feel. At first, that was in the negative lens, but now knowing the raison d’etre of Meraki, I think the cast did a wonderful job. I am very happy for their success and wish them only the best fortunes.

Ray Yuen

FOR SCIENCE!

Small Matters Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

This show is Incredible! The concept is unique and I can guarantee that you’ve never seen anything like it. Without a word, the trying- to-be professional lab professor and her eager lapdog/slave of a lab assistant present a delightful hour of fun and foolery under the pretense of demonstrating silly supposedly scientific theories. These experiments are so inventive and hysterical, I was on the edge of my seat to witness what they would dream up next.

The show will be different each time, as the experiments are run purely by eager volunteers from the audience, some who really bask in the spotlight. The thought, polish and incredibly inventive props that lead to a genius and unexpected finale performed by the unwitting volunteers will have you remembering this show for the rest of your life. A perfect Fringe show and in my top two this year.

Plenty of room in this Huge venue. Treat yourself!

Lisa Campbell

Drag Me to the Opera

Aida Cupcake Presents—MTC Up the Alley

Aida cupcake is here to prove that the flamboyance of drag and the flamboyance of opera are a match made in heaven. Aida takes us through her journey of pursuing a professional career in opera. The show featured famous arias transcribed into English so you could follow along. These songs accented the beats of her story that helped connect you more to the operatic piece and her story. It’s ironic I’m reviewing this show because the whole point of her show was to not care about the course others try to put us on. It was a beautiful story about loving yourself and the gifts you bring to the world however they may look or sound. A wonderful show with some technical and beautiful singing. A wonderful Fringe gem.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Saplings

One Trunk Theatre—The Forks Market – Room 201

This was a very sweet show in which we are all welcomed into the fold as forest rangers and embark as a group on a journey through the forest. It is a lovely set design for the space, and creative interactive experience. We were encouraged to use our imaginations as we explored that forest, and we learned important lessons about the forests and protecting them. I think it was a beautiful engaging way to install a sense of care in the little ones about preserving and caring about our forests. A great one for the kids and a good reminder for the grownups.

Calantha Jensen

Stroke of Luck

Gravity still works—Théâtre Cercle Molière

Vincent champagne defied all odds by regaining mobility in record time through the art of circus. This 45 minute show featured Champagne recounting his experiences pre, during, and post stroke in this tale of overcoming adversity. Champagne reminds me of my favourite uncle telling stories around the table with my dad. It felt like going for drinks with a friend you hadn’t seen in a long time. He also threw in some skillful juggling for good measure. An interesting story to hear.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Another Very Serious Night with Barney Morin

River Road Productions—The Studio at Le Théâtre Cercle Molière

A variety-type show with some hits and some misses. There are some people out there who laugh at everything; I wonder if they’re generally entertained or if they just have a natural propensity to laugh, even if they don’t find funny? As a comedian, those are the people you want in your audience. Their laughs alone cause infection infiltration to the remainder of the audience and suddenly, you feel obligated to laugh, even if you don’t find it funny. There were a lot of laughers in the audience tonight, which impelled and propelled the merriment. I found some of the material genuinely comical but some were just mildly amusing. Still, I laughed.

As far as the singing goes, well—when your singing make Neil Young and Bob Dylan sound like their have voices of angels, you shouldn’t rely on that aspect of your show too much.

Finally, Morin, here is some good advice that’s going to save you some grief and possibly a lawsuit: when you run your skit on the oldest person in the audience—you should look at the person. The lady with the white hair that you targeted today? You should probably leave her alone, especially when she waved you off twice. A guy like me with a shaved head and some white in the beard? That look means I’m comfortable with their age, and I was ready to put my hand up as oldest in the crowd. The person with the comb-over? Leave them alone! Calling on people is sometimes fun but I don’t think you should call on people for age, especially when they already indicated they do not want to be. Pick me instead Monte—I can take it.

Ray Yuen

Fake ‘n’ Bake

Oh Hello Productions!—John Hirsch Mainstage

It is definitely not easy talking about one’s battle with addictions and chorus of ‘inner critics’, and to share that talk with an audience of strangers takes a lot of moxie. To do it in a way that gets the message across and be entertaining, that takes talent, and Ellie Heath definitely makes the grade in that department.

A very inspirational performance that is quite moving.

Murray Hunter

The Perfect Pants

Blanket Fort Theatre—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage

Giggles the clown is here to answer the question, what do you do when your favourite pair of pants becomes too small. Perfectly embodying the creativity and innocence of a small child, giggles goes on a camping adventure to prevent such a crime from ever happening again. I figured this would be a cute clown show, what I didn’t expect were some amazing circus acts! Very cute, aimed at the much younger crowd. An excellent choice for a little ones first Fringe.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Booger Red

Jim Loucks—The Output at Video Pool Media Arts Centre

What a warm and wonderful treat from Jim Loucks of California. Warm is so many ways. The love shared in this son’s relating of the story of his father’s and his own life, the personality of the performer and the heat of the venue. What a trooper to perform under the additional heat of stage lights!

This was so worth it! I was intrigued from the beginning; wanting to know the origins of the unusual name of booger- different meaning in the south, thankfully. What a beautiful surprise to find out this man isn’t just a brilliant actor but an amazing singer as well. I wasn’t the only one delighted. The audience wouldn’t stop applauding. Please see! Just be prepared if it is a hot day.

Lisa Campbell

Adventure of the Little Rooster

The Grand Salto Theatre—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage

This plotline reminds me of The Cat Came Back but instead, the star is a rooster, flanked by a flock of ducks and a brood of chickens. You can’t have a conflict without an antagonist, which here happens to be an evil cabbage.

The story is fun but it’s the adventure that really draws the kids’ attention. The “water adventure” has the kids looking with awe, and the “fire adventure” has me wanting to see more Hungarian dance and hear more Hungarian folk music. It’s a kids’ show but it can be enjoyed by adults as well.

Ray Yuen