Is This Yours?

Al LaFrance—The Clock Tower – Portage Place

If I would have known this was the genius who brought us the wildly popular ’Ballad of Frank Allen’ and ‘I Think I’m Dead’, I would have been here sooner! He should have this in the program; not just on the handbills. I would have been upset to have missed this. This man deserves full houses; and I believe this new venue is scaring away some. Some have mentioned they thought this was an open air venue around the clock tower. This guy filled Venue 2 (I believe) in the past,so c’mon people! You actually have a chance to get in. Portage Place is loaded with amazing shows this year, so include this gem.

I loved this this show, due to his wonderful way with words, his generous attitude to others, his respect for oddities and old things, and our shared love of the treasure trove of thrift stores. The thread that holds the story together revolves around a weird, unknown board game that gave him a mission and led to a friendship with the inventor. Al is that engaging, sensitive, warm, quirky guy that you want to have a beer with. You should also see this show with him. He’s also just damn funny.

Lisa Campbell

Everything’s Actually OK: a variety show

S.P.I.C.E. Productions—The Fountain – Portage Place

Fun, furious and fast: that’s how most of the skits went, with a bit of introspection interspersed. Alternating episodes of laughter and empathy made this an enjoyable roller coaster ride of emotions.

Ray Yuen

Kateryna and Havrylo

Ce-Lee Productions—MTC Up the Alley

Solid comedy fair, with deep Ukrainian cultural DNA. The dry comedy duo of our titular characters forms a strong core, pairing extremely well with the show’s three supporting characters who shift between all supporting parts with a manic and wild energy. This contrast completely animates the show, especially as the three supporting actors manage the scene transitions with the protagonists sitting mouths agape, pulled back and forth by the casts set up. A tight script and strong cast make this show a fringe pick few would regret.

Josh Fidelak

Tango, to the Pointe

PointeTango—John Hirsch Mainstage

What an amazing and entertaining display of terrific dance by a pair of absolute pros. Erin Scott-Kafadar and Alexander Richardson beautifully perform around a dozen different segments to various musical pieces and a couple of recorded spoken word background audio.

Each piece conveys a different emotion with the music and dancing. They use some vertical light bars on the stage which light up in different colours to help set the scenes. The amazing thing about the dancing is Erin does it in ballet pointe shoes and is dancing en pointe (on tip toe) throughout, hence their Title and Company name.

The finale was set to an acoustic version of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” (it took me a while to identify it) and was done barefoot. The sheer physicality was absolutely amazing with spectacular lifts, spins and combined movements.

The standing ovation was very much deserved. I highly recommend it.

Murray Hunter

Dirk Darrow: Magic of Future Past

Tim Motley—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

I have to admit I’m a sucker for Tim and have seen every one of his shows. This is possibly his best. He’s looking great and is on top of his game. I’m a big fan of the film noir genre; and Motley combines this theme with consistently amazing magic. He’s always been an audience participation man; so don’t think you get to just sit and veg. I love his warm and sensitive handling of his participants; especially when they are uncomfortable (as one was with using a staple gun on his face). I came close to seeing a first on-stage fatality as one, very generously sized volunteer was cracking up so badly he was turning colour. He has a real touch with his audience that just melts my butter. A very enjoyable and addictive schtick that will have you back next year; and definitely deserves your dime.

Lisa Campbell

Six-Legs

Second Date Productions—The Fountain – Portage Place

So what if one day, I lost it all? Suddenly, a catastrophe occurs where I drop back down to level one and I struggle to find food. Bugs are part of the regular diet and anything more is a bonus. Even the bugs start to become scarce. Safety cannot be had because dangers lurk around every corner. Romantic Love? Impossible, because the only people in your world are your two siblings. What would life be like?

This performance takes you on this journey. But wait! What if there’s a wrench? What if someone within your own safety zone has a secret—one that can destroy you all?

Between the superb acting and the elegant (if not terrifying poetry), these six legs gives us a glimpse of what you need to survive. It’s a very worthwhile journey—come experience it.

Ray Yuen

Generic Male: Just What We Need, Another Show About Men

PUSH Physical Theatre—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Intensely physical and intensely emotional. Exploring the male experience from the inside, the fundamental fear and inability to convey it, the toxic standards imposed upon it by society, the suffering it causes both within and without, are not generally things one would consider to be “light fringe fair”. But paired with exceptionally good comedy and a deep personal earnestness the show earns every single one of its beats, from laughter to tears.

Josh Fidelak

Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life

Quivering Dendrites—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

It’s always a pleasure to spend time with the charming, self-effacing Keith Alessi. While engagingly unfolding his true tale of a fatal prognosis and his narrow escape, you will be treated to his wonderful and hard-earned mastery of the banjo, along with rib-tickling jokes. I never imagined there were so many banjo gags. I particularly loved his tales of his original home of Virginia, where possum is a food staple. We cracked up over his song about a drooling driver anticipating knocking down a five pound critter for a delicious change of fare. Keith even brought a can of possum!

This show is unique, extremely enjoyable and well worth your time. You also get some valuable info about the importance of the theme to ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’; and some history of bluegrass.

The messages he wishes to impart: express your appreciation of those around you while you are still able to do so, and the healing powers of art and music. He says he’s working on a banjo opera; so let’s see what he comes up with next year. When you have have story so nice, we don’t mind it twice. But just.

Lisa Campbell

As It Turns Out…

TBA Productions—The Clock Tower – Portage Place

This play ran 75 minutes; it should have stopped at 60. The formula of any good tale includes an intro, development, a climax, then resolution. The climax came at 55 minutes and the resolution went another 15. The last 15 minutes were completely irrelevant and offered nothing more to the story.

As for the story, it’s a soap opera—that’s all. If you habitually follow The Young and the Restless, this is for you. Otherwise, meh.

Ray Yuen

Bat Brains or let’s explore mental illness with vampires

Scantily Glad Theatre—MTC Up the Alley

Deeply personal and spectacularly physical comedy. Despite being extremely funny and sure to satisfy anyone looking for a laugh, the show manages to address the serious mental health struggles of both the real life performer and character with the gravity and care the topic deserves. Take all those elements, add some great fourth wall breaks and unexpected freshness, and you’ve got the quintessential fringe show.

Josh Fidelak