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The Redemption of Heracles
Chronically Ch(ill) Productions—Planetarium
Where do I even start with this show? It was my favourite so far by a significant margin. I’ve always enjoyed Hailley’s fresh takes on Greek myths and stories, but she has truly outdone herself this year. The props, the sharp take and new perspective, and the arresting switches between perspective. This is an incredible show, and a shorter one that should be easy to squeeze into your schedule no matter how busy.
Jordan Phillips
The Goose
Tin Fish—The Gargoyle Theatre
This gentle, wholesome, beautifully repackaged story feels nostalgic and familiar despite being a contemporary interpretation of Japanese folklore. Attendees can easily allow themselves to be convinced that they are watching an adaptation of a traditional prairie fable. The subtle allusions to female labour, quiet suffering, and meeting in-law criticism with grace in domestic life blend with a moral lesson in the importance of faith and honesty in marital partnerships in both good times and the bad. The lovely presentation of these themes with period costuming and shadow puppetry feels as timeless as the rural Canadian setting of playwright Ellen Peterson’s not-yet-classic new work.
Ashley Frantik
Fringe Family Fun Show
Comedy Illusions of Greg Wood—Théâtre Cercle Molière
A perfect show for anyone with children and looking for a fun way to bring them out to Fringe. Greg Wood is a Fringe staple due to filling this niche extremely well, and his confidence and skill come through. The comedy interstitial audio clips are cute, and the jokes him and his assistants deliver are well suited for that younger audience. Unfortunately, Greg’s wife Oonaugh was in the hospital recovering during this performance, but they’re trucking onwards regardless and hoping for a speedy recovery and return to the show before the end of Fringe.
Josh Fidelak
Tycho Freakin’ Brahe!
Kiss the Giraffe Productions—John Hirsch Mainstage
The titular character exemplified the stereotype of white folks rapping during one track, but apart from that, good luck finding anything to complain about here. The acting, singing, costumes, props, writing, directing – everything from top to bottom, really – belonged on the main stage of MTC. It was hilarious, yet the history it presented was also fascinating in its own right, and Alana Penner and Sam Plett are such a delight, both individually and together. Don’t miss them this Fringe. You will regret it.
Jordan Phillips
World Peace thru Humor – A German 101
Paco Erhard | German Comedy International—MTC Up the Alley
Paco is always a sure thing. There’s nothing not to love about this charming, astute and more important- supremely funny fellow. I make sure never to miss his shows. You shouldn’t either.
This year’s show is far less political than his last. The number of topics he manages to pack into this fast paced show is astounding. He takes you along on his extensive travels and shares the hilarious situations he finds himself in. Great fun! I can’t imagine anyone with a funny bone leaving this gem disappointed!
A don’t miss! Thanks again Paco!
Lisa Campbell
Wherever You May Be
Reis’ Pieces Theatre Co—Théâtre Cercle Molière
A heartwarming story about learning of the past through the relatives who lived it, especially when said past can be dark and painful. Featuring strong acting from the eight person cast, the writing was also extremely impressive, with well constructed and positioned monologues. The few acoustic musical numbers were a nice touch and clearly very personal to the playwright. For those interested in stories of immigration specially, especially folks with Ukrainian ancestry like myself, this is a great show to check out.
Josh Fidelak
Lysistrata
R-G Productions—One88
Heightened text is a difficult animal to tame, and this translation of Aristophanes’ classic doesn’t always help as it flip flops from archaic to modern vernacular and back again. That being said, there is something strangely beautiful in the fact that a story about women flexing their sexual power over men for the betterment of society is as hilarious and pertinent a tale now as it was in ancient Greece. Well acted, the costumes and “props” also added a lot of girth to this romp.
Jordan Phillips
Wuthering Frights: An Improvised Gothic Play
The Kinkonauts—John Hirsch Mainstage
This cast of 7 talented improvisers from Calgary put together a good and creepy long form improv story based on the audience suggestions. The one I attended was based on a Hospital setting and some nefarious goings on inside. Even with a smaller crowd, probably due to it being the last show of the night, they kept everyone entertained with a pretty coherent story line and some great character work.
Murray Hunter
The Show Must Go On!
Mad Tom Theatre Company—Théâtre Cercle Molière
A high school theatre love letter about high school theatre redone and remounted for Fringe, an environment notably full of people with cringing nostalgia for high school theatre who would enjoy the callbacks. The setting of the play as backstage of the scientifically worst staging of Macbeth was great, as the show collapses and the cast tries to salvage what they can out of it. The humor comes quick and wacky, with the actors hitting high emotion and energy notes at the drop of a dummy head. A bit long at 75 minutes, with some of the off/on stage Shakespeare sections being a bit muddy in delivery, these few weaknesses were more than made up for by the rest of the show, the aura farming private eye an absolute treat to watch bumble about.
Josh Fidelak
The Gallery Wall
evens and odds—Son of Warehouse
Chance encounters can often feel like a contrived set-up for a story. Somehow, though, this show manages to both embrace the awkwardness of the situation AND stitch its two characters together in a way that feels both natural and very compelling. Some of the dialogue was a bit rushed in the early moments, but overall, the writing, directing, and acting of this show pulled off a difficult premise with aplomb.
Jordan Phillips
