Rose with no thorns

What a lovely lovely show. This hidden gem of the fringe ended up being one of my favourites this summer. The setup is minimalistic with Ranee sitting in a chair amongst a charming backdrop of props. But that’s all that is needed , as this is a perfect example of “less is more.” Ranee is the star here and she truly shines in it! Her tale is an engaging wild ride of highs and lows with an array of tenderness , laughter and even a bit of sexiness too! The show was told with so much charm, positivity and levity that I couldn’t not leave the theatre with a smile. This show also had the most moving ending bow/ curtain call I’ve probably ever seen in a theatre show. Highly recommend!

Shut the door! Rose with no thorns is a wonderfully delightful hour thanks to the incredible charm provided by Ranee. She effortlessly delivers a hilarious and heartfelt story about her life that you can’t help but think about for days to come! 5/5 elephants!

Ranee is an exceptional human being and storyteller! She walks seamlessly between humorous anecdotes, gut-wrenching life events, and elephant stories - a very amusing dose of elephant stories. It takes an unbelievable amount of courage to go through all of that and then to weave it into a compelling and highly engaging one woman show.

Highly recommended to anyone who thinks their life is cool. Sorry but Ranee's life is cooler.

Rahnee is a vibrant presence on stage. She leads you through her life story which is relatable in many areas to each person's human existence. Gerald Osborn directed this show and he has done a great job of punctuating humourous moments and moments of pathos. Rahnee is an inspiration to anyone wanting to tell their story; hers is told with grace and laughter.

Imagine your grandmother’s hearth: weighty incense in the air; plush arm chairs and photo albums; a symphony of shared laughter.

Ranee’s heartfelt and humorous retelling of her life, Rose with no thorns, warps the sterile Gateway Theater stage into exactly that— a home. Through her infectious personality, Ranee welcomes every audience member into the wiles and woes of her vibrant life, navigating from tear-jerking heartache to light-hearted boasts with absolute mastery. Prepare to be completely engrossed in every aspect of her life she shares— not a single moment in this show is dull.

The lasting value of Rose with no thorns is not the instant gratification of Ranee’s bubbly personality nor her impeccable story weaving (though those are absolutely bonuses), rather the wisdom integrated in the contents of Ranee’s life is the true treasure of this show. Everyone will find a tidbit of insight: from new parents to teens with relationship troubles, the vignettes Ranee presents in Rose with no thorns caters to all. Ranee is no hypocrite; the human values of compassion and resilience that she calls the audience towards are exemplified through her own personal experiences all retold in a joyously intimate manner.

Rose with no thorns is a truly universal show. Whether you’re seeking a quick laugh of truly poignant wisdom, Ranee has you covered. No matter your walk of life, I promise you will not leave Gateway Theater empty handed.