Mod Couple

Not10 Productions—Son of Warehouse

A fun quirky new odd couple. Babies are messy but probably not as messy as these two guys. The play was really funny. It was the perfect brand of dirty humour and witty quips. The play wasn’t very politically correct but I still laughed. A very cute two hander that left me happier than when I arrived.

Kaitlyn Kriss

AMAZE – A Comedy Magic Show

Eliot Entertainment—Cinematheque

Illusionist Eliot delivers some good yuks but not enough where I would call this a comedy show. His jokes evoke amused laughter, but most magic shows today have somewhat of an element of humour.

As for the illusions, he executes them smoothly and competently. If you like magic, it’s a very good show—looks like it was sold out so plan accordingly. If you like magic a lot, you probably don’t need to take in this show and Dangerous Magic, shown at the same location here. A number tricks overlap and even the kids would comment that they’ve seen them before.

Eliot deserves a big pat on the back for the audience he endured today. Good job to him for remaining composed and professional through the entire ordeal. The Fringe doesn’t have a lot of rules (as this year’s motto indicates) but people disregarding those rules severely interrupts the show. “No babes in arms” means that no one wants to hear your baby cry for five minutes straight, seriously ruining the atmosphere. To make things worse, having your “feed baby” alarm go off makes you more of a louse than you already are. Finally, I saw no fewer than four phones being looked at throughout the show. You think you’re surreptitious when you check your phone but you’re not—we all see you and you’re very distracting. You paid money to be here—if you’d rather be on the phone, get the F out.

Ray Yuen

6 Quick Dick Tricks: A Dirk Darrow Investigation

Tim Motley—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

First the good: Tim Motley is a fine entertainer and an amazing magician. I found him the first year he was here and have gone out of my way to catch his show every year. His show is worthwhile and his feats will astound. Be prepared for audience participation. The crowd was very appreciative.

The bad: his hair is not the only thing that has thinned( don’t worry, you are still a hunk). The investigation part of his show is missing. He always used to manage to intertwine a riveting mystery into his magic show. That part is sadly missing. His tales of the era of smoke filled private eye offices, classy dames and low level criminals is gone. The shady dealings, gun battles and a triumphant finish with our hero getting the broad are absent. Please don’t do this to us next year. Your unique style of fun and nostalgia was missed. A pair of dress shoes would also not go amiss. See you next year, Tim, and please bring me an investigation story, as only you can do.

Lisa Campbell

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

Nothing In Particular

Benji Rothman Comedy—Pantages Studio

This review goes out in honour of Walter.

From the Fringe programme write-up, you have no idea what to expect. Now, after seeing the show, and rereading the description, I still scratch my head. If want to be surprised about what to expect, now’s a good time to stop reading. Oh, one last comment before you stop, it’s an excellent show!

As you enter, the door-person hands you a clicker, which you use to vote during the show. I’m not convinced that the technology actually works, or if it’s part of the gag to make the audience think that it has a say. If it’s a dummy, the gadget sure looks genuine.

This is essentially a Saturday Night Live type variety show, featuring some stand-up, some skits and some “not-sure-what-to-call-its.” The acts range from big grin amusing to wide-open mouth laughs, evoking a standing ovation from most of the house.

This show features multiple guests actors from other Fringe shows, some performing excerpts from their own shows. I’m not sure if this is a regular lineup or if Rothman has a rotation of guest stars (or if some shows have no guest stars at all). Between the variability between the voting widget and the guest appearances, there’s potential that there could be a different show every time.

Most of the Fringe ultra-popular shows have a lot of buzz before the Fringe even starts (6 Guitars, 2 for Tea, for example). This one flies so far under the radar, no one in my (rather large) Fringe circle knew anything about it. Based on tonight’s reaction, word-of-mouth may spread quickly about this show. Get in while you can—it’s one of my favourite of the Fringe so far.

Ray Yuen

Student Body

Beau Theatre Co.—School of Contemporary Dancers

What would you do with a tape of a female to assaulted at a party? That’s exactly the question this play explores. Nine friends face a dilemma and for all of them the choice is not simple. This heart breaking and gut wrenching play had me feeling uneasy and made me wish life was a lot simpler than it is. They do describe the assault in full so you have to be prepared for that. This is not a fun or happy play by any stretch of the imagination, but it is beautifully acted by a wickedly talented cast. Definitely a must see.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Jon Bennett: How I Learned to Hug

Jon Bennett—Dragon Arts Collective

Australian comedian and story teller Jon Bennett returns with a new show about the loves of his life, the loss of those loves and how that loss dampened his desire for public display’s of affection (such as hugging) for quite some time. This venue is perfect for his show as it feels like you are just hanging out with him and a group of friends. He uses some projected images to help you visualise his journey, and the story is told with his charming, witty and often self-depreciating humour.

Murray Hunter

Shadow Aspect

Now We’re Here Performance Co.—Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall

Visually, this play makes great use of all of their media. The opening overhead gives you the premise of the adventure to come—quickly, you get into the feast for the eyes.

The message and the lessons are simple but they take a long detour to get there. It’s a nice journey but it’s like taking the scenic way when you could have got there a lot quicker.

Ray Yuen

Forget Me Not – The Alzheimer’s Whodunnit

Rob Gee—MTYP – Mainstage

Fringe favorite Mr. Gee is back again to play to his loyal fans. We fell in love with his sizable talent many years ago and have been back every year since. Relying on his experiences of many years working in the healthcare field, he brings us a humorous mystery that takes place in a care unit for Alzheimer’s patients. He is performing his wonderful book of the same title. The tale is told through the voices of the various residents, staff and loved ones; some of whom exit in a decidedly sinister way. Rob’s long, lanky rubber body is perfectly suited to express the tiniest characteristics of the cast of characters. His empathy and understanding of the unfortunate situations Alzheimer’s and old age thrust you into, make you only hope you and yours encounter caregivers with such heart and insight. Yet he manages to show the humour that can be found in this life, if you are open to it. The writing is sublime, which makes for a most enjoyable show. The tale ends with a delicious twist, where the underdog has the last laugh.

An aside, a seniors group in Winnipeg borrowed his play and ran it for three sold out shows and is honouring him with a lunch and video of the production. He is now ‘a proper playwright’ and is thrilled. Buy the book, available after the show, for a great read you can pass on to the mystery lovers in the family. I did. Thanks again Rob!

Lisa Campbell

Macbeth Muet

La Fille Du Laitier—Pantages Studio

Shakespeare wrote a horrifying tale when he penned Macbeth, and this company has turned that story on its ear, and then some. Few words are spoken, certainly no Shakespearean English, but it doesn’t matter. It also doesn’t matter if you have never read Macbeth. The sequence of events is crystal clear.

The “Muet” performance is an intelligent and carefully crafted blend of, believe it or not, vaudeville, Punch and Judy, the violence of Polanski and good old storytelling. The humour punctuates, rather than overpowers the action, and the company has been respectful of when the horror in the plot must shine through. You have to see the battle scene at the end to believe it.

Jeremie Francoueur and Claire Prevost shine as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and all the other characters, for that matter. Their performances are exact, strenuous and totally believable.

With little of the spoken word the sound track for the show takes on added importance, and does not fail to deliver.

Some may see this show as a a parody of Macbeth, but I don’t. In the moments when the audience should be appalled by events, we are. We as an audience, may not have Shakespeare’s words to impact on us, but the intent and ramifications of the plot are in no doubt. The show is actually more choreography than theatre, but that doesn’t matter either.

A beautiful job by the actors and the company. Right now, Macbeth Muet is at the top of my list as a must see.

Michelle Cook