A Confederate Widow in Hell

Willi Carlisle Productions—John Hirsch Mainstage

[Editor’s Note” This is a shared review with Alabama Monster]Both family horror stories, both about malevolent legacies, both by men from the American south, both remarkable in their own way. And they couldn’t be more different from each other. Confederate Widow is an impressively staged and costumed ghost story that unexpectedly makes uncomfortable links between the slave-powered prosperity of the old south and today’s global economic structure. Alabama Monster is stripped down thrilling and moving storytelling – with pitch perfect pace and emotional escalation – the family story is intertwined with the monster tale as an allegory for terrifying inheritances. Both very well worth seeing.

Audra Lesosky

A Girl in the Fridge

Dead Unicorn Ink—Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (U of W)

The story of a couple, trapped in the tropes of a super hero comic book, unable to escape them. Suprisingly funny, and informative of misogynistic tropes in the media. Even with technical issues during the show, it was deeply engaging and interesting. Overall, anyone interested in comic book movies and modern academia is deeply encouraged to see this show.

Josh Fidelak

The ADHD Project

Squirrel Suit Productions—The Cinematheque

Thank you for the personalised acknowledgment of Treaty 1, and the Treaty governing Hamilton. These acknowledgements mean a lot more when they’re discussed, rather than recorded or worse, omitted.

Thanks for the show and thanks for sharing. I used to work with a person with ADHD and I have (non-immediate) family members who have ADHD. As well as highly entertaining, this is an excellent learning experience for the layperson. The insight provides a great window into understanding the neuraldiverse more.

Sometimes provocative, sometimes comical and thoroughly enjoyable, I highly recommend catching this experience.

Ray Yuen

Bleak Expectations, Dickens’ First Draft

Stories Alive—Planetarium

I will start by saying my knowledge level of Dickens’ work is mediocre at best, I could name most of his books and some of the characters, but I am largely unfamiliar with the main plot arcs of all but a couple of his works. This means I am certain I missed a number of references to various plot lines and character in-jokes that were included in this Dickens mash-up. However, even as someone with a more casual acquaintance with the source works, I enjoyed this quick twelve chapter story by Eden Ballantyne and his performance was top-notch in his reading and portrayal of Charles Dickens and a baker’s dozen of his characters.

Murray Hunter

Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four

By the Book Productions—Planetarium

Fast-paced (lightning fast!) and energetic, this role-swapping depiction of a mystery rolls through the hour without a chance to take a breath. The solid actors do a great job of telling a complicated story in a short timeframe.

Complicated and fast are the key words here—as a viewer, you cannot afford to miss any part of the dialogue or you miss a huge chunk of the plot. As exhausting as it must be for the actors, it’s equally demanding on the viewer to maintain full attention for the entire hour. If you can though, you’re rewarded with an entertaining and amusing account of the world’s most famous sleuth.

Ray Yuen

Twelfth Night

Indifferently Reformed—MTYP – Richardson Hall

One of Shakespeare’s lighthearted, romantic comedies, featuring a shipwreck, a love triangle and cross-dressing. The company, specializing in Shakespeare, manages to tap into the deeply comedic aspects of Shakespeare, with extremely well done slapstick and timing. For any fan of Shakespeare or comedic theater, this is well worth the watch.

Josh Fidelak

THROWBACK!

Outside In—The Gas Station Arts Centre

Throwback! was an incredibly amazing show that left the crowd on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. World-class circus acts that captivated the audience matched with comedy and an amazing soundtrack that left you in awe. Make sure to add this to your “must see” list as it’s one show you won’t want to miss!

Zachary West

JULIET: A Revenge Comedy

Monster Theatre—The King’s Head Pub

This smart show plays with the premise “What if some of Shakespeare’s more tragic female characters became self-aware?”, the answer is: they probably wouldn’t be too happy about their fates as written by Shakespeare. Monster Theatre always puts on a good show, and this is no exception. The acting is superb with Pippa Mackie in the lead as Juliet and Carly Pokoradi amazingly playing all the other Shakespeare leading ladies (including Lady Macbeth, Ophelia, Cleopatra, and Miranda) often all at the same time, and if that wasn’t enough, all the other characters from Romeo and Juliet. Ryan Gladstone appears as Shakespeare, who must try and deal with the revolt. Great fun! Be sure to come early as the King’s Head opens before the usual 15 minute door opening time and the show has been selling out.

Murray Hunter

God! The One-Man Show

Rich Potter—Son of Warehouse

Part stand-up, part situational, part gags, part audience interaction and part divine intervention (uh-em), this variety show barrels along producing smiles and yuks. As an anti-theist, I still enjoyed the show as it was devoid of anything preachy and everything is in good fun.

It changed my life!…

…in that there are 70 minutes fewer than before the show started. Still, it was 70 minutes well spent.

Ray Yuen

Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Hamdad Productions—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage

Characters you know and love performing stupid fairy tales stupidly. Simply put, this is an extremely funny kids show. If you’re looking for something dark or gritty, this is not for you. If you have a kid? Definitely your show. And if you’re just in the mood for a light hearted comedy, and a throng of children does not bring dread to your heart, definitely something you should check out.

Josh Fidelak