Double-Booked

Success 5000 Productions—Son of Warehouse

A neurotic autobiographical writer with daddy issues and a slacker songwriter looking for some quick cash are both booked in the venue and the same time, hilarity ensues. The show is extremely well written and paced, with the banter between our two characters both setting up some effective character moments and creating some well timed jokes. Likewise, the songs that accompanied the show were all extremely funny, with CDs and cassettes available after the show. Anyone looking for a solid comedy in these final days of Fringe is highly encouraged to seek out one of the last showings of Double Booked.

Josh Fidelak

The After After Party

After Party Theatre—MTC Up the Alley

In lesser hands this show could have been as big a train wreck as its two rather distasteful characters. But it was handled brilliantly with razor sharp comedic timing, unwavering confidence and obvious chemistry. If these two hugely talented women read the phone book, I’m certain it would be just as stupidly hilarious.

Audra Lesosky

Pack Animals

S.E. Grummett—Stephen Juba Park

2 lovable, disgusting campers lost in the forest teach valuable life lessons on camping, sex, and how to not mansplain during the middle of someone else’s show. Simultaneously crass and clever, the show itself sometimes overplayed it’s premise, but overall is quite funny. Targeted at a younger crowd, anyone interested in feminist humor definitely should check it out.

Josh Fidelak

Free Beer: Brewicide Squad

The Horrible Friends—Duke of Kent Legion

The Horrible Friends are so damn quick you don’t have time to see their eyes twinkle when they come up with the zingiest of scene ending lines. The long-standing improv duo has been making crowds roar for years, and don’t seem to be slowing down. The most enjoyable scene of the evening for me (where, sure, I wet my pants a little) was the hilarious parody (can you call something a parody, if the actors haven’t seen the original?) of Fringe’s THE QUEST. Luke played Hannah and Shawn engaged with the audience in a very mean-to-Hannah choose-your-own-adventure scene. Seating at the Legion isn’t spacious and the sight lines aren’t exactly excellent, but the performers use it judiciously and hilariously. Also, the drinks are cheap and the audience can sometimes be an entertaining sideshow act. You should see The Horrible Friends. (I wish I’d brought a change of pants).

Alexis Silver

The Cruelest Phone Book in the World

Craving Space Productions—School of Contemporary Dancers

The cruelest thing in the world to a Fringe show occurs when no one shows up—or worse, one viewer shows up and you still have to do a show. So this was only the second cruelest thing to occur: two of us
showed up. I’ve seen hundreds of shows in my life and I’ve yet to witness such an empty audience. Now it’s awkward for performers and viewers, especially when it’s supposed to be interactive and there’s a sing-along.

Oh boy.

I hoped heavily that this would be an outstanding show, prompting me to write an outstanding review, to help plop some butts in the seats.

That didn’t happen.

Weslowski describes this presentation as the fusion of a clown with a poet. The verses sounded poetic and the antics were clowny, but that’s as much as I got. The paper-love metaphor permeated the show but it was a little too much. No, it was A LOT too much. It was so over-the-top too much that it borderlined creepy (not in the good way). The only way it could have been worse is if he re-enacts the scene in a clown outfit.

If this was a full house, the “cheap trick” might have got the crowd rolling, but given time to think about it, I failed to understand how it blended in with the show.

I hate writing bad reviews, and when I have to, I want to be as constructive as I can. The best I can say here is to scrap the concept and start fresh. The basement scene showed glimpses of potential, darkening the mood and engaging suspense. The rest, I’m sorry to say, is a write-off.

Ray Yuen

Dr. Calagari’s Cabaret of Everywhere Else

Various—Tom Hendry Warehouse

[Editor’s Note: The Cabaret is a one time event, usually the second Wednesday of the Fringe at midnight.] The Cabaret was fantastic as always. We just couldn’t understand why it’s not packed like it used to be. Kev and I sold the tix for a decade and we sold out every year in 10 minutes! The performers work hard to bring you acts you won’t see in their shows and the proceeds go to charity. It’s so nice to see the collaboration of actors from different genres work together in unique combos. Particularly funny this year was Wes Borg’s solo lament of a washed up (he isn’t) Fringe performer, “I’ve Got Nothing to Give Ya”, and he had the whole audience singing along, even before he asked. Martin Dockery did a hilarious portrayal as Jem Rolls’ double, perfectly mimicking Jem’s accent, stance and style. Even better when they were both on stage at the same time! A terrified tribute? to self-effacing TJ Dawe was so clever, and picked on every attribute he has. Except the tyranny they professed to cower under and be abused by, while they worship him at the same time. It was a fave with the crowd. Well done everyone who participated, thanks to Jem and Melanie Gall for organizing it, and please let’s do more to support this unique event that only happens at our wonderful fest.

Lisa Campbell

NO TWEED TOO TIGHT: Another Grant Canyon Mystery

Ryan Gladstone—The King’s Head Pub

What you read in the program is exactly what you get from veteran Fringe performer Ryan Gladstone. This is his 13th Fringe, I believe, and I don’t ever miss him.

It’s a wild, fast paced romp, with the addicted Canyon in another boozy adventure. Back is his love, Jane Velvet and her deadly boyfriend, Jimmy the Fish, threatening to be another eager enemy, just one in the line waiting for a chance to off or beat up our hero. The sound track and narration is a scream. A great chance to have some nice food, laugh your face off, and just relax at the hospitable King’s Head.

It was particularly nice to sit with some first time Fringers and enjoy the smiles on their faces and listen to them crack up. In their 40’s, they eagerly asked what else to see after having such a great experience at this show. Still 3 chances to enjoy this goofy, yet expertly timed and acted treat!

Lisa Campbell

A Girl in the Fridge

Dead Unicorn Ink—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (U of W)

The core concept is fraught with potential that is perhaps unrealized in its storytelling, as it makes its point early, but doesn’t really flip it or build on it. However, comic book enthusiasts will likely revel in obscure (to me) references.

Audra Lesosky

Stephen Hopwood Is Not Dead

Pengwin Productions—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (U of W)

An imaginative piece that is sharply and simply staged. When you know every person in the cast it’s difficult to dissociate — and everyone did a great job capturing distinctive characters, but in particular Leith Clark’s serene performance erased the person I knew and I saw only the benevolent Walter.

Audra Lesosky

Spotlight: The Show With No Actors

Shelby Bond—Tom Hendry Warehouse

Spotlight by Shelby Bond is a lovely play with no actors. It is a lot of fun. He doesn’t do anything to embarrass anyone and gives many people chances to get up on stage and put on a play. Some may be costumers or stage hands, the leads or the ensemble. It is really nice. I went 2 times. The story is all written and it is a fun time. An invitation to play.

Shy Pattie