2-HANDER!

Ribbit Productions—Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall (UofW)

“If you want to hear God laugh, announce your plans.” The Fringe program announced that Jon Patterson and Fraz would be doing this two-hander about 2-handers. What could go wrong? A bicycle accident that put Fraz hors de combat. But the show must go on, right?

The solution was to have a variety of game performers step into the lights with Jon Patterson and do the show script-in-hand. Could be a recipe for disaster, but on the day I went, Patterson played opposite Ryan Gladstone, and they had some great comic moments. Patterson is a performer who I would watch washing the dishes. He’s always interesting and has one of the quickest minds on stage. Gladstone is also a seasoned performer. We didn’t get the show the program promised, and because of the lack of preparation time, some of the timing was a bit off, but they got us into the spirit of the adventure and worked the flubs for laughs, too. The script is funny, the performances were great, and if I didn’t get a chance to see them do Laurel and Hardy or Burns and Allen, I was happy to see them do what they did. Great lemonade, guys.

Kevin Longfield

Siddiqi Jones

White Rhino Comedy—Red River College

As with any improv show, the direction and topic changes with every performance, but generally, the meats and guts remain constant. Today’s event starts with a flurry and the laughs come fast and hard. Then things mellow somewhat, laughs turn to giggles, and it doesn’t seem to pick up again. On more than a couple of occasions, the actors seem to lull and fall into repetition. This is a good effort but short of fall-out- of-your- seat hilarious.

Ray Yuen

Comedy Isn’t Funny Anymore

Kali Wags—Onstage at Pantages

It is fitting that a show honouring the history of vaudeville show take place on the Pantages stage. This theatre is integral to the history of Vaudevillian theatre in North America and boasts a proud history of entertainers (including Houdini). I know this because this is something I learned in the first 5 minutes of the show. Stephen Sims and Caity Curtis flow seamlessly between new and old, improv and script to present an entirely new breed of comedy show. While parts of the show were scripted (We were told this up front), It was tricky to tell what was improv versus what was scripted. I loved the banter between the two artists. They really riffed off each other and had good stage chemistry. The show ran very smoothly and transitions were handled in a unique way. In between sections the audience would sit in darkness and listen to prerecorded segments. Although these were interesting, they tended to run a little long. I thought a lot of the jokes in the tracks went very long and should have ended much sooner especially when we were all sitting in the dark. It was tough to expect anything from reading the show synopsis but I am very glad I went. These two are pros at what they do and it shows. Vets of the comedy scene they can turn any scene into a good one. The two performers were hilarious and I would definitely check them out!

Kaitlyn Kriss

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addpunctuationtheatre—Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall (UofW)

The first thing I would like to say is that this piece could have benefitted from more actors. A one woman show is fine; voice over only characters are fine; and together they can work very well; but this show with diction issues from our one woman and glitchy technical cues did not come across as strongly as it could have. I understood what the show was trying to convey but overall it seemed to lack a point. It’s something mothers who have experienced postpartum anxiety disorder would appreciate, but very few other people. It’s a shame really, because that’s the opposite of what it was trying to accomplish. I walked out 15 minutes earlier than I expected (given the published run time) and a little disappointed. Good ideas, but a poor execution.

Arden Pruden

Papa Squat

ManDamsel & FellaLady—Bandwidth Theatre

Don’t let the trailer park motif fool you: this is an intelligent, wise play that deals with the essence of truth and the meaning of love. Plus the performer, Paul Strickland, is a gifted singer and storyteller. This play will stay with me for a long time.

Kevin Longfield

The Philip and Lucinda Show

bike circus—School of Contemporary Dancers

This ludicrous show oozes with energy and spunk, and when I say “ludicrous,” I mean it in a comical, zany way, rather than an offensive way. Honestly, many actors could not pull of this show. Lessor
actors could reproduce the routine identically and it wouldn’t be the same. The single driving force behind the success of this show comes from the ability of both Phillip and Lucinda to engage the audience and capture their rapt.

Beyond their charisma, they treat you to an adept acrobatic experience with some good humour and the requisite cheesiness. This engaging show ensures that everyone has a good time.

Ray Yuen

Strip Down

Floater Studios—MTC Up the Alley

Steven Andrews show asks the question: “Who gets to actually follow their dreams?” Dougie Reevers has a passion for exotic dance. His existence and very sole is taken up with this passion. This is what he is sure he was put on this earth to do. The only problem is he has a mental disability and his case workers think that Dougie had better do something else. Rather than be shot down Dougie perseveres with the help of his best friend. This show contained one of the most surprising and heartfelt bromances on the planet. Dougie’s sidekick Greasy was hilarious and was willing to do whatever and whoever to help his buddy out. All characters in the show are portrayed seamlessly by Andrews, but these two especially stood out to me. I ended up really rooting for Dougie to succeed.

I liked the characters and enjoyed seeing them develop before my eyes. While I did find the play funny, I was very uncomfortable laughing at some of the jokes. I felt at times that disability became the butt end of the joke; But, the redeeming moments of the play over shadowed this for myself. I would also not bring anyone with sensitivities to strong language or dirty humour to this show. I really liked this play and would recommend it to anyone with a dream or anyone who likes a rocking 80’s soundtrack.

Happiness™

May Can Theatre—The Rachel Browne Theatre

I remember seeing this show last year when they were here towards the end of the festival, and it was fantastic. Dare I say they’ve gotten even better. The two actors filled the room with energy right off the hop and the shifts in mood are incredibly smooth and natural, as natural as they are designed to be. Both men have amazing comedic timing and the banter with the soft voiced technician ‘Ted’ gives even a faceless character a personality. Their stories are there but just under the surface, and I wish I could watch the opening to their pitch again with a new view of them. In the end its a very sad man and a very angry man trying to sell products to make you happy- and you might even buy them.

Arden Pruden

The Merry Men

Outsider Company—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film

This cheerful retelling of the Robin Hood myth features some charming young performers with a clever idea. I saw this early in the run, so the pace was a bit off, and the cast would profit from some more experience, but that’s what the Fringe is for. Tighter cues and stronger characterization would have helped this production, but that’s what experience is for. I hope these performers continue to work on their craft and challenge themselves.

Kevin Longfield

The Lion, the Bitch and the Wardrobe

Sharon Mahoney—The Rachel Browne Theatre

There are some very good laughs, and many just so-so, but the fast pace keeps the act moving. All said, it’s a good time, even though Mahoney tries a little bit too hard sometimes. If you don’t want attention, it’s best to stay away from the front few rows.

To the person who tried to sabotage the show, you’re a coward and an asshole. Every single person in the audience is happy to see you leave but walking in front of the act to get out just reinforces the fact that you’re an asshole.

Despite the disruption, Mahoney continues with the show adeptly and professionally, eventually delivering an important message that we all should remember. Thanks for your story.

Ray Yuen