The Ballad of Isobel Gunn
Written & Performed by Melanie Gall		Possum Hollow Productions - Ottawa, ON
 http://melaniegall.com		V.17 - PTE – Colin Jackson Studio Theatre 
A new musical starring Fringe favourite Melanie Gall. The extraordinary true tale of Isobel Gunn, a Scottish woman who explored Canada in 1806, living and working as a man. After journeying from remote Orkney, Isobel travelled 1800 miles across the Canadian wilderness as "John Fubbister", a labourer in the fur trade. But when she unexpectedly gives birth one winter morning, Isobel's identity is revealed...

5 STARS "Glorious singing and first-rate storytelling" - Adelaide Advertiser
"A real star in the making" - Broadway Baby

Cast:
Melanie Gall

  		Show Info:
60 Mins minutes
Genre:
Musical

Audience:
Parental Guidance

No warnings

Wed July 15 6:30 PM
Thu July 16 4:30 PM
Fri July 17 6:45 PM
Sat July 18 3:15 PM
Sun July 19 4:45 PM
Mon July 20 4:15 PM
Tue July 21 4:00 PM
Wed July 22 9:00 PM
Thu July 23 3:00 PM
Fri July 24 4:15 PM
Sat July 25 5:00 PM
Sun July 26 2:00 PM

The Ballad of Isobel Gunn

Possum Hollow Productions—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio Theatre

I love opera. That’s what drew me to Melanie Gall’s Opera Mouse (Kids’ Fringe many years ago) as my first exposure to her work. Since then, I’ve seen a number of Gall’s shows but she doesn’t sing much in the opera genre at Fringe Shows.

One of my favourite artists is Sarah Brightman. Yes, I first learned of her as the most famous lead in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, but it was her actual operatic works that really made her a favourite of mine. Then her career grew, and Brightman started fusing/crossing opera with folk and pop. I love it.

Today, Gall does much of the same idea, blending the soprano notes with the alto-based, folk-like songs. I love the power, depth, and extension of the notes, and when a soprano sings in alto, it’s like driving a high-performance engine and running at 2000 rpm. I want to hear the voice roar at 6000 rpm. With this performance, it was lovely to hear some of those notes come into play. I know she wasn’t even close to full projection today but still, it’s a lovely blending.

The storytelling doesn’t sparkle, but it’s competent. The music shines, and it more than carries the show. The songs are absolutely lovely and Gall reveals that it’s her first Fringe time using original work. This is my favourite Melanie Gall work yet. Brava!

Ray Yuen