Field Zoology 101

Shawn O’Hara—The Cinematheque

My new favorite! What a find! This was recommended to me by another performer, Rob Gee, of the wonderful Death-A Romantic Comedy. These guys tour together for weeks, and when another performer recommends something, listen.

I loved this show! Shawn’s character, a know-it-all Zoologist teaching us, as his class, really knows nothing, especially about animals. His hilarious malapropisms had the audience howling from start to finish (a la Basil Fawlty) and commenting out the door and into the street, smiling. I loved his hilarious voice of authority as he spouted the biggest ignorance of how nature works. His use of an overhead projector and the silliest drawings and antics on the screen were a high point for me. There is absolutely nothing to say but this is a real winner and one of the most entertaining shows this Fringe. He is deservedly selling out.

Lisa Campbell

Chris Funk Live

Chris Funk The Wonderist—John Hirsch Mainstage

Chris Funk is one magician to watch out for. Hands down one of my favorite magic shows I have seen in years. His crazy tricks were unique, original, and blew the audience away. Chris was charming, and so likable. I pride myself in being able to figure out most tricks but Chris was so slick, I’m still puzzling over some of his tricks. I could not believe a show of this high caliber can still be considered a fringe show. I can easily picture myself paying a ton of money to see him live on a gigantic stage in Las Vegas. I have never at the fringe seen this high of quality of magic. The last trick of the show still has me astounded and floored. Already Chris is selling out and it is easy to see why. There is not a single bad thing I have to say about this show. Get your tickets now before they disappear.

Kaitlyn Kriss

How My Light Is Spent

Play It Again—MTC Up the Alley

This performance is a charming, funny, endearing, and interesting story of two unlikely people. We encounter a lonely and lost young man who works at a donut drive through shop and is in the process of disappearing (literally), and a young woman who is a phone sex worker who talks with him on a regular basis.

The two become involved in each others lives as this unexpected connection slowly grows into something more. Characters with a tragic past and challenging circumstances realize the importance that they each have in the other’s life.

I enjoyed the fluid transitions from scenes between the characters to the breaking of the 4th wall as each character added context and reactions to the unfolding events. It was a very sweet story, and very enjoyable. A terrific way to start my day with a smile on my face.

Calantha Jensen

Martin Dockery: Wide-Eyed

Martin Dockery—Creative Manitoba

When I saw Martin in the Square, I was shocked to see him look, well, anything but wide-eyed. In fact he looked handsome, but positively exhausted. This play let my find out why. While the premise is his recent visit with his wife Valerie to the Forbidden City in Beijing, it is really an excuse to boast about the birth of his new daughter. Martin is a Fringe favorite, selling out year after year. No one spins a tale with such skill, humour and charm. Go see him and find out why.

Lisa Campbell

TUNED

True Enough Productions—Planetarium Auditorium

Come take a trip down rock and roll history with Randy Vancourt. Vancourt is one part museum curator, one part entertainer and spends his show talking about music history while playing the legendary songs that make up that history. He is incredibly knowledgeable and there is no denying how talented he is. He plays that keyboard like only an expert could. I was one of the youngest audience members at 25. I found this became obvious when several jokes flew over my head that everyone else seemed to get right away. Most of the songs were older and a lot of the references were before my time. Vancourt is kind of like your one friend’s dad who knows a ton about one subject and talks about nothing else anytime you visit. You know the jokes are bad but you laugh anyways because he’s just so likeable and entertaining. Not my favourite of this fringe but worth a watch if your also interested in rock music history.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Lip Service

Pulsive Party—MTC Up the Alley

Absolutely outrageous and amazing are the two most prevalent descriptors in my mind about this show. From the moment the stage lights come on, I was laughing hysterically as two cast members dressed as giant dancing and singing vulvas take the stage.

The primary themes of this piece are acceptance of self and (if you possess the correct anatomy) a love and respect for your body, particularly between the legs, the ignorance that so many possess about the female body, and somehow the importance of exercise.

The costumes alone were enough to make everything hilarious, but the action followed each vulva as they worked for a vagina service help phone line and educated the audience while expressing the importance of embracing sexuality. There is incredibly energetic dancing, ukuleles, absurd sound effects and hysterically inappropriate material done somehow in an exceedingly charming way. It was great!!!

Calantha Jensen

War of 1812

Morgan Cranny—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I was really looking forward to seeing this because, Wes Borg, Mike Delamont and Morgan Cranny. How could you go wrong? I’m an old timer, thirty years at this Fringe; and fondly remember the days when 3 Dead Trolls in a Baggie were Fringe Gods. Therefore, I will see Wes Borg every time. He just exudes fun and playfulness; and is everything a Fringe performer should be. His ad libs were some of the funniest lines in the play. I can’t say enough good things about this; and hear people talking about it everywhere around the Square. With good reason. If you are up for a stage full of fun, an hour that will end too soon, tons of action, and constant laughs by a seasoned cast, this is for you. We all wish history was taught this way in school.

Lisa Campbell

It’s fine, we’re working on it

One Last Bit—Red River College – Roblin Centre

Write a show with your ex, they said. It’ll be fun, they said…. this is We’re Working on it in a nut shell. Come witness Zach and Sharlit (luckily her name was literally spell out for me in the show) implode fantastically while struggling to not murder each other before the end of the show. The writing was funny because of how horrific the two act to each other. If you’ve ever taken joy from watch others crash and burn, you’ll love this show. The actors made me belly laugh and the time flew by. I wanted it to go on and on. While a lot of the jokes were expected, I found a few to be quite creative; especially, when they poked fun at the audience and their tech. If you haven’t seen many fringe shows some of the jokes might fly over your head. A lot of the jokes were dirty so I wouldn’t bring kids either. Definitely a great show to catch.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Jellyfish are Immortal

Peachy Keen Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I have had the privilege of knowing Sydney Hayduk for years through attending the same schools. Over the last few Fringe festivals, I have seen her grow as an actress, and this show is a shining example of how she has become a wonderful and captivating performer and confidant woman.

Her performance this year is an educational, inspiring, entertaining, funny and uplifting production of motivational speaking, energetic dancing, raw and real self expression and more than anything, it is a performance of love. She reminds us that while the world may seem like a mess, that there is always hope and the place to start is by creating a sincere and defiant self love.

Sydney shares compelling stories and guides us in a journey of embracing our monsters and facing our demons via a stuffed octopus costume. She teaches us about the brain and how society behaves when faced with negativity. She is enrapturing, encouraging and reminiscent of a TED talk, of which I am a huge fan. I have met few people in my life who are such a fountain of knowledge and positivity. I cannot recommend this show enough. It is fun, it is important, and it is an excellent experience.

Calantha Jensen

Maybe Baby

Possible Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

I had two motivations to see this. First, it stars Mike Delamont, our God and Scottish Drag Queen; who never puts out anything crap. Second, my curiosity to see what woman would be attracted to and actually marry this huge, sweaty guy with the quirky humour and constant touring. Chantelle is absolutely lovely and a fine actress in her own right.

Maybe Baby is the, I believe to be true, relating of the couple’s attempt to start a family. It is humorous at the onset; but as the play progresses, it becomes increasingly frustrating for the couple and just plain heartbreaking. I found myself silently yelling ‘adopt already’; especially since Mike himself, is adopted. It is a capable production, and may have special appeal for those who have experienced this struggle, but I far prefer any of his other comedic efforts, of which you have plenty to choose this Fringe. BTW, they are all selling out.

Lisa Campbell