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

Alana and Kaibo

Hijinx Drama Club Inc.—Tom Hendry Warehouse

The write-up says it was put on by adults and youth, but in actuality, there was only one adult, and the rest ranged from seven to 16. Considering their ages, they did a very professional job in the presentation.

However, even though the play sits in the regular section of the Fringe Program, it could easily fit into the Kids’ Fringe category. While adults will enjoy the play, it does not have a lot of adult elements, except of course the underlying theme: humans are destroying the oceans and endangering the lives of the inhabitants.

If I have to describe this adventure with one word, it would be “cute.” The puppets really steal the show in their size, variety and detail. Thanks to the students at Grant Park High School for making this visual spectacle possible. The actors did a wonderful job in bringing those puppets to life and giving them realism.

The show only runs 40 minutes, with time left over for Q&A.

Ray Yuen

WIT & WRATH: The Life & Times of Dorothy Parker

MissClaudiaPresents —Planetarium

Claudia Baumgarten joins us for the first time all the way from New Orleans to present her work about legendary writer and critic Dorothy Parker. She sets the mood with props and a dress from that era as she takes on the persona of Parker. She does a great job of presenting Parker’s history (both professional and personal) and includes readings of her poems, criticisms and other witty remarks. An entertaining display that piqued an already budding interest in the writings of Parker.

Murray Hunter

Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World

Duane Forrest—John Hirsch Mainstage

Everything is irie now that Mr. Forrest in in the Peg! Mon, his packed audience Loved him! I cherish shows where we are encouraged to sing along and we sure did! Duane doesn’t just reproduce Marley’s well-loved music note by note; but makes it his own with his personal stylings. Heart rending video enriches his show, baring the poverty and cruelty the Jamaican people experienced. Throughout he spins his life story to date, sharing how and why Marley had such a deep influence on him.

Speaking with him after the show, he couldn’t have been more warm, and kind and patient, posing for pictures as the crew tried to shoo us out. This comfy, actual theatre seats 290, so there’s a seat for you. Take it!

Lisa Campbell

The Get Laid* Show (*Or a date? Definitely a high five.)

TheOtherVName Productions—Duke of Kent Legion

Supremely vulnerable and hilarious show, and a perfect opportunity for anyone sick of all the commercialized algorithmic apps that structure our social interactions and romantic lives in modern society. Highly participatory show, but in that really kind way that doesn’t push anyone past where they’re willing to go, only encouraging them to explore. What you get from this will depend on what you (and the rest of the audience, admittedly) are willing to bring to the table. Perhaps you will be one of this years success stories, good luck!

Josh Fidelak

The Monkey’s Paw

Stumble Upon a Story—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

Performed in very creepy masked costumes as pantomime to music and a narrated reading of the well known short story, an eerie mood is effectively generated. The visuals are provided by Jo Dixon and Sarah Higgins as the various characters, with just a few key set pieces, and that complements the soundscape with the uncredited narrator’s great deep voice really creating a great spooky presentation. Just a note, it is closer to 45 minutes long.

Murray Hunter

BRAIN

Blair Moro—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Brilliant casting! A delightful mix of whimsy and depth.

Natacha Ruck

ImproVision: Anti Pasta

ImproVision—Duke of Kent Legion

For anyone who has yet to see ImproVision, imagine 2 highly skilled, trained and confident Fringe improv veterans, armed with water guns and well polished improv games, and surrounded by drunken lunatics/Fringe performers full of the worst suggestions possible. Yearly highlights, so for anyone who’s somehow managed to avoid them so far, get on board as soon as you can. They should probably better vet the attendees they arm with the water gun, as our executioner was trigger happy, but at least the folks in the splash zone were given a plastic sheet for defence.

Josh Fidelak

Chase Padgett: How to Play Guitar Poorly

Chase Padgett—PTE – Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage

Virtuoso guitarist Chase Padgett brings a much more personal story to this Fringe. The root of the stories is his relationship to the two father figures in his life, his Dad and his music teacher Mr. Maxwell. He carries the story along with the 8 tongue in cheek lessons to ‘play guitar poorly’ which are a counter-point to his path to mastering of his instrument and figuring out life.

He goes with his acoustic guitar this time out playing some of his own work, which adds to and underscores parts of the story. He also features few classics that were from very important moments in his life such as ‘Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out’ and ‘Tears in Heaven’, the later as a tribute to his Dad.

Quite a moving piece, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house at the end. A much deserved standing ovation greeted the end of the performance.

Almost forgot to mention, he really can sing really well too.

Murray Hunter