The Buzz – Reviews

If Day

MaxQ Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

This local production, inspired by a quirky piece of Manitoba WWII history, begins as a suitably farcical comedy. The introduction of a tongue-in-cheek 1940s radio play hero ‘Johnny Canuck,’ whose serialized adventures mirror the protagonist’s journey and are played during scene breaks, establishes a satirical tone and charming retro flair. With historic footage, crowd-pleasing local humour, and a War of the Worlds-style misunderstanding at its core, the setup is ripe for a classic comedy of errors.

However, the plot (and historical references) become confusing with actual Nazis hijacking the titular campaign, along with a regiment of Manitoban inmates armed with live weapons. Questionable character choices in the portrayal of said Nazis and an overabundance of ethno-religious stereotypes land uncomfortably and were hopefully a clumsy attempt at satire.

The finale further muddies the intent of the play. When the 17 year old protagonist overcomes the Mennonite pacifist objections of his father to enlist, and inspires his presumably equally underage love interest to do the same, it is met with enthusiastic familial support. This is an odd triumph for a piece that initially presented as a satire of wartime nationalism. One hopes this was an ironic comment on propaganda and not a sincere endorsement.

If Day is at its best when it embraces absurdity and local humour, but falters when satirizing complex themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

Ashley Frantik

The Birdcage

Crosswalk Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

Let me start by saying that I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. The acting in this show was superb. The different ways that certain characters pretend to be straight at points had me absolutely in stitches, and even the over-the-top personalities (looking at you, Albert) had such genuine heart and connection within the show that they all felt REAL, no matter how silly their behaviour seemed. As someone who struggles a lot with second-hand embarrassment, I was also blown away by how well the conflict was handled. It felt like it was building toward a much more uncomfortable-to-watch climax, but it was pure loveliness from start to finish. Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Particular shout outs to Scott, Matt, and Corey. I could watch another five hours of interactions between their characters in various situations and it would still feel like it ended too soon.

Jordan Phillips

EGGSHELLS: The Spectrum of Fatherhood, Imposter Syndrome and Finding my Light

M.P.M.M Productions—Son of Warehouse

This story was a lot more stripped down and vulnerable than what I was expecting, but it was exactly the story I needed to hear. If you enjoy story-telling shows, connecting with performers, and wrestling with the triumph and tragedy that is real life, definitely add this show to your list. This show is an excellent exploration into the mess of healing, sacrifice, and the value of the things that bring us joy.

Jordan Phillips

The Apricot Tree

Yellow Pie Productions—Son of Warehouse

Chance the writer and performer of this show is well beyond his age in regard to performance, maturity and skill. The visual tone of the show sets off quick and you’re drawn in right from lights up. The various tales told throughout are combined in super clever ways and it makes you think and reflect. I went opening day and was beyond blown away with this show. I cannot wait follow this performers path in the years to come. A ‘Must See’ for this year’s Fest

Joel Passante

Rob and Jenny’s First Date

Dark Horse Theatre—John Hirsch Mainstage

This actually felt like two separate plays that had been stitched together. There was the new love meets old love dynamic between the titular Rob & Jenny and the heart-warming character of Ambrose, and then there was the slapstick comedy of the horny service-worker’s fantasy in Diego’s last day before retirement. Both stories certainly have their moments – there were tonnes of both laughs and awwws from the massive audience – but I am left wondering if both halves could have been better if they weren’t competing with each other. However, while I would gladly have focused more on the romantic story, at least the distractions were entertaining!

Jordan Phillips

Yesterday Reimagined

Phoenix Productions—John Hirsch Mainstage

I’m sure we have all made a decision or two in our lives that leave us wondering, “What if…?” However, this play is a great demonstration of the fact that that can be a destructive train of thought, and likely an even worse conversation. However, if you are attached to someone as detestable as Daniel’s character in this play, it’s never too late to run for the hills. If you are a fan of relationship drama, and love-to-hate characters, you will find a LOT of that here.

Jordan Phillips

The Ballad of Boblin the Goblin (A DnD Musical)

WorkHardPlayBard—Gas Station Arts Centre

It’s a simple plot but it brings me back to playing Dungeons and Dragons. Although I play regularly, I’ve been DMing for a long time and it’s been a while since I’ve been an adventurer—and the feel brings me back to those days.

The musical glows with visual presentation and the melee makes up a lot of the fun. You come to a show like this expecting a fun adventure—and that’s exactly what you get!

Ray Yuen

Inescapable

Concrete Drops Theater—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

Jon Paterson and Martin Dockery take on the stage thriller together. Tension and hilarity ensue. What a tour de force.

Natacha Ruck

Fiji

Theatre by the River—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

If you think you know what this show is about, yes, it’s exactly what you think it’s about. Yet another take on online dating, fused with a not-unusual comparison between consumption and sexual relations, the piece explores the unknowns, conflicting expectations, and navigation of consent up to and including extreme taboo. While the subject matter is provocative, but not unexpected, the production itself struggles to fully justify the transgression.

The earnest exploration of desire, obligation, and imbalances of power in intimate relationships weighed down the more comedic elements of the piece. The quippy dialogue wasn’t quite enough to elevate the somehow tedious will-they-won’t-they plot and the heavy handed metaphor for the importance of both consent and pleasure in intimate relations.

More concerning is the lack of clear framing around the play’s most disturbing themes. Perhaps in its original UK context, the tone felt more safely ironic, but given the current socio-political climate, especially next door in the United States, it’s worth questioning the wisdom of mounting a work that grapples with the the legality and morality of living out, or suppressing, deviant but ultimately consensual desires. Pushing that envelope ambiguously risks feeling less like provocation and more like negligence.

Ashley Frantik

Multiple Neurosis

Karin Fekko Productions—Son of Warehouse

This show is a masterclass in story telling. Karin pulls you in with her tale and guides you through the various stages of her diagnosis with clever use of past, future and current life events she has endured. You are hooked the moment the show starts and you never look back. For a newcomer to the Fringe scene I see huge things in her future and this is a must see this festival.

Joel Passante