A Masters Advanced Class To Beginners Improv

SensibleChuckleTheatre—The Output at Video Pool Media Arts Centre

Three of the most untalented individuals struggle to find any kind of improv skills with help from their woefully frustrated teacher. This play reminded me of commedia dell’arte characters in how over the top and buffoonish they were. I cringed at moments but burst out laughing at some of the utterly ridiculous moments. The characters were overly simple at points but acted as a good foil to the zany teacher. Goofy and silly way to spend an hour.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Murder… IN THE FOURTH DEGREE!!!

H.A.N.D.—Alloway Hall – Manitoba Museum

Within your group of friends, do you have that one annoying person? The one that hangs out but no one really likes? The one you’d like to kill? What if you can get away with it?

Through the discovery of who actually did it, you get smatterings of song, fun and corniness.

Ray Yuen

The Elephant in the Room

Priyanka Shetty—Théâtre Cercle Molière

Priyanka takes us on her journey fighting against the norms of what she is expected to be doing and what she wants to do. The family and cultural pressures of India are shown as well as the story of how she was inspired to make the switch to a new career and ultimately move to the United States. She then delves into the cultural differences of life in America and how it was a lot more difficult than she expected.

A very poignant and professional performance that really captured the attention of the audience.

Murray Hunter

My Dad Isn’t Danny DeVito

Anthony DeVito—The Cinematheque

Weaving together stories of his personal and family dramas with stand-up comedy based on the wild situations in the lives he describes, New York comedian Anthony DeVito creates a very warm and welcoming environment for stories that might otherwise be too dark for comfort. Deeply touching on the images fathers leave behind in their absence, heavy topics and situations have their tension defused by well timed jokes and irreverent punchlines. For anyone who hasn’t read the show’s description in the program and thinks this show could be for them, I would highly recommend checking it out without researching further. There are aspects of his life story that, while useful to advertise a show in the competitive Fringe market, are better explored and discovered through the way the show carefully uncovers them.

Josh Fidelak

Little Shop of Horrors

The Dramatic Theatre Company—John Hirsch Mainstage

I’m sure most of you know the story already. This rendition is cute, corny and comical. There’s some good singing, some good acting, and an insane Audrey II that steals the show.

Obviously, a lot of effort and a lot of money went into this production. The fact that some of the choreography was off really bothered me. With the investment, this work should be absolutely flawless.

Ray Yuen

Clueless in ZA

Erik de Waal—Planetarium

Another beautifully written and performed original piece by Fringe favourite, Erik de Waal.

You know you are witnessing a true storyteller when you hear actual gasps from the audience as he relates the atrocities man inflicts on others during Apartheid. Erik shares his conflicting feelings of love and bewilderment for his home country of South Africa. Well worth taking in.

Lisa Campbell

Ingénue: Deanna Durbin, Judy Garland, and the Golden Age of Hollywood

Melanie Gall Presents (2)—MTYP – Mainstage

I thought the singing and acting was fantastic, the flow between music and scene was very smooth, and she transitioned with grace and ease. The only thing that took me out of the performance were the tech issues and a couple of flubbed lines, but she handled them like a champ and pulled through with a great performance.

Al Gilbert

Influenced

Theatre Enthused—Alloway Hall – Manitoba Museum

What do you do if you’re in the audience and you don’t want to be singled out? Avoid eye contact?
Nope, that’s like putting your hand up and yelling “pick me!”. Stare intently at the actor? Nope, that won’t work. Make shy, glancing eye contact? That’s probably your best bet. Heed this advice if you’re shy.

She is sometimes funny, sometimes whacky, sometimes deep and sometimes flippant. She has a lovely
set of pipes and I wish there would have been more singing. Most of all, she scares me. Fortunately, I like being scared.

Ray Yuen

Dude, Where’s My Karma?

Fedor Comedy—MTC Up the Alley

If you’re in the mood for a wonderful, straight up comedy show, this will do beautifully! Fedor Ikelaar, originally from Amsterdam, says he couldn’t afford to live in the Netherlands and now resides in, of all places, Bulgaria.

He’s affable, engaging, and delivers a rewarding show that will leave you smiling. His charming accent doesn’t hurt either. He covers a wide range of topics and gives the audience an interesting insight into life in other countries. He’s genuinely thrilled to be doing his first Canadian show and you won’t regret taking this in. You can even learn what a ‘swaffle‘ is. Don’t even try to guess.

Lisa Campbell

Pramkicker

An Seanchaí—Théâtre Cercle Molière

While the subject matter is serious, largely how women who decide not to have kids are often looked down upon by society (but also delving into other issues), the strong performances of Siobhán Keely and Calum Peppard as sisters Jude and Suse really make this a treat to watch. This is a very well written and funny show. If you are easily offended by coarse language, this probably isn’t the show for you, but if you can handle a few f-bombs and c-words (maybe quite a few) then this is a must see.

Murray Hunter