THREE

Bossy Flyer—One88

I happened to run into a friend at this show, and on the way out I commented to her that it was “very artsy and Fringe-y, physically impressive, and also kinda hot”, an assessment with which she seemed to agree. The same company had a hit last year with Flight, an adaptation of The Little Prince, and this show worked a similar magic, though not in so kid-friendly a manner.

I say that not only because the sexual tension in this thing exceeds the legal limit in seventeen states and the District of Columbia, but also because there’s no narration as there was in the previous show – maybe six words are spoken, mostly little outbursts serving more as sound effects than dialogue. The audience is left to decide for themselves what’s happening, though it probably helps if you know it’s a loose adaptation of Sartre’s No Exit. Not knowing this at the time I watched it – I only learned this as I was reading up in preparation for writing this review – I had interpreted it a bit differently, as about a triad relationship that isn’t terribly healthy, but that no-one can actually bring themselves to walk away from. I’d argue that thematically, I wasn’t all that far off.

Of course, it’s perfectly defensible to ignore all that and just go to admire this group’s always impressive acrobatics. In fact, for what is in many ways a very “Fringe-y” production, there’s something here to appeal to a surprisingly wide variety of audiences. It’ll make you gasp, it’ll make you think, and there’s a good chance it’ll make you horny.

Jeff Heikkinen

As the clock ticks past midnight it is now the penultimate day of Fringe and I just want to thank everyone who contributed their time, effort and reviews to the Jenny, as well as all those performers who helped spread the word about us. There are a limited number of single page print editions in the Jenny Boxes at Hospo and the Beer Tent with some recommendations for the last weekend. Speaking of the Beer Tent some of the Jenny staff and contributors will be there Saturday night to help come up with some categories for the Jenny Awards. Here is Editor Emeritus Coral McKendrick to explain more about the Jenny’s.

Murray Hunter

It’s Time to talk Jenny Awards.

The last show of the Fringe, The Jenny Awards, happens upstairs at The King’s Head (Venue 14), on Sunday night, July 28th, around 10ish.

It is definitely not the Oscars. For one thing, our awards, individual little stuffed
donkeys, lovingly hand crafted by the inestimably talented Michelle Cook, are cuter than the Oscars. They will also fetch a whole lot less at the pawn shop if your theatre career takes a sudden nose dive.

For a show to be nominated for a Jenny, it has to have graced our site in some way—review, SSP, a letter, a column mention, or someone from your show identifying themselves as being in a show when they write a review or letter. And any of those must be emailed to us by 6 PM on Saturday, the 27th. Contributions will be accepted after that time, they just won’t count as Jenny award qualifiers.
NOTE: the chunks of the Fringe program attached to every show on our site DO NOT COUNT as award qualifiers. This is not the Fringe awards. It’s the Jenny Awards.

If a show is already in our SSP or review lists, it’s eligible. If not there are 18 or so
hours to qualify. If you still have shows on Saturday or Sunday and haven’t yet shamelessly promoted yourselves, do it now. Or talk someone into reviewing you, or review someone else, and add your show or company name to your signature. Even if Murray hasn’t published your contribution by 6pm Saturday, we will go by the time you emailed it. Or you can write us a letter about anything related to the Fringe.

2018 Jenny Awards

As to the show itself: It’s a shout fest. Host, Shawn Kowalke, (The Horrible Friends),
will read the categories and the nominees. When you hear something you like—most likely your own show’s name—go nuts. The point is to shout loud, not long. Jenny people stationed around the room will award points according to how loud it is where they are stationed. Those numbers will be added to the noise level rating at the Jenny table and the
highest number wins. In case of a tie, we’ll give you something dumb to do to determine the winner.

If your Fringe is done and your company is beating a hasty retreat out of town and
won’t be attending, please let us know. It’s a major bummer when your fans raise the roof and there’s no one from your company to accept. The people whose supporters were the second noisiest, will be happy, cause they’ll go home with a donkey instead of you. ‘Cause here’s the thing: a member of your company must be present to accept. No exceptions. There’s no sending someone to accept in your place. Neither will we send awards to your home, nor allow a supposed confederate to take it to you at some place along the Fringe circuit, Be there or be an also ran.

Since there’s no King’s Head extended patio, we don’t know how it will affect our crowd, so if you need a seat, be there when the doors open at around 9:00.

Oh, and as we proved at least once, we can be bribed. See you at the Jenny Awards.

Coral McKendrick

EYE CANDY

Merkin Sisters—MTYP – Mainstage

Although she was miked the first few words couldn’t be heard as the mike was not turned on. Even with the head mike I couldn’t hear her well and missed a lot of what she said (my wife asked me “What?” a few times too)

Very touching, some amusing portions, but I missed a lot.

Bob Migliore

Letters

Parachuting Camel Productions—Alto – Portage Place

There were some Tech problems with the initial audio and lights aimed during the show. Some dialogue was too fast.

I’m a softie and the show brought me to tears.

Bob Migliore

THROWBACK!

Outside In—The Gas Station Arts Centre

Throwback was an absolutely unbelievable show! When I wasn’t howling with laughter, my jaw was on the floor due to all the insane circus acts. The aesthetic was so fun as well, who doesn’t love some throwbacks right? It had me dancing in my seat! I completely recommend this show to people of all ages! Absolutely loved it!

Brianna Palendat

Double-Booked

Success 5000 Productions—Son of Warehouse

A neurotic autobiographical writer with daddy issues and a slacker songwriter looking for some quick cash are both booked in the venue and the same time, hilarity ensues. The show is extremely well written and paced, with the banter between our two characters both setting up some effective character moments and creating some well timed jokes. Likewise, the songs that accompanied the show were all extremely funny, with CDs and cassettes available after the show. Anyone looking for a solid comedy in these final days of Fringe is highly encouraged to seek out one of the last showings of Double Booked.

Josh Fidelak

The After After Party

After Party Theatre—MTC Up the Alley

In lesser hands this show could have been as big a train wreck as its two rather distasteful characters. But it was handled brilliantly with razor sharp comedic timing, unwavering confidence and obvious chemistry. If these two hugely talented women read the phone book, I’m certain it would be just as stupidly hilarious.

Audra Lesosky

Pack Animals

S.E. Grummett—Stephen Juba Park

2 lovable, disgusting campers lost in the forest teach valuable life lessons on camping, sex, and how to not mansplain during the middle of someone else’s show. Simultaneously crass and clever, the show itself sometimes overplayed it’s premise, but overall is quite funny. Targeted at a younger crowd, anyone interested in feminist humor definitely should check it out.

Josh Fidelak

Free Beer: Brewicide Squad

The Horrible Friends—Duke of Kent Legion

The Horrible Friends are so damn quick you don’t have time to see their eyes twinkle when they come up with the zingiest of scene ending lines. The long-standing improv duo has been making crowds roar for years, and don’t seem to be slowing down. The most enjoyable scene of the evening for me (where, sure, I wet my pants a little) was the hilarious parody (can you call something a parody, if the actors haven’t seen the original?) of Fringe’s THE QUEST. Luke played Hannah and Shawn engaged with the audience in a very mean-to-Hannah choose-your-own-adventure scene. Seating at the Legion isn’t spacious and the sight lines aren’t exactly excellent, but the performers use it judiciously and hilariously. Also, the drinks are cheap and the audience can sometimes be an entertaining sideshow act. You should see The Horrible Friends. (I wish I’d brought a change of pants).

Alexis Silver

The Cruelest Phone Book in the World

Craving Space Productions—School of Contemporary Dancers

The cruelest thing in the world to a Fringe show occurs when no one shows up—or worse, one viewer shows up and you still have to do a show. So this was only the second cruelest thing to occur: two of us
showed up. I’ve seen hundreds of shows in my life and I’ve yet to witness such an empty audience. Now it’s awkward for performers and viewers, especially when it’s supposed to be interactive and there’s a sing-along.

Oh boy.

I hoped heavily that this would be an outstanding show, prompting me to write an outstanding review, to help plop some butts in the seats.

That didn’t happen.

Weslowski describes this presentation as the fusion of a clown with a poet. The verses sounded poetic and the antics were clowny, but that’s as much as I got. The paper-love metaphor permeated the show but it was a little too much. No, it was A LOT too much. It was so over-the-top too much that it borderlined creepy (not in the good way). The only way it could have been worse is if he re-enacts the scene in a clown outfit.

If this was a full house, the “cheap trick” might have got the crowd rolling, but given time to think about it, I failed to understand how it blended in with the show.

I hate writing bad reviews, and when I have to, I want to be as constructive as I can. The best I can say here is to scrap the concept and start fresh. The basement scene showed glimpses of potential, darkening the mood and engaging suspense. The rest, I’m sorry to say, is a write-off.

Ray Yuen