"SPEED!" A 1940's Radio Drama

“SPEED!” gives you exactly what it promises “a visual feast for the ears” and it is spectacular. We start with a ‘star studded cast’ and progressively lose members until we only have a couple of people running around trying to play all the parts and they succeed in the most comical way possible. The live foley (sound effects) are really fun to watch and add to the world building and comedy. The tire to create the bus sounds and the “speed” foley are the most annoying and the gunshot is quite loud, but with Boss Quiet Comfort headphones it's not too bad; I also used a tangle. I might add drugs/alcohol to the show contents as one character gets particularly drunk and eventually passes out. Death would also be a good addition to the content warnings, as one of the characters dies off-stage. I have already mentioned my dislike for Sugar Swing as a venue and the upstairs is no different, except for there being quite a few stairs. The show takes place during the Draft and includes a good deal of politics, which leads to discussions of Fascism which felt very poignant in today's political climate. Everything from the makeup to the set to the acting was so well thought out and truly made you feel as if you were in a 1940’s studio.

This show was amazing. Very fast paced, super funny and the acting is very strong. Probably one of the best shows I saw this year. I think the run is sold out, but catch it... if you can.

Quick, Speedy, Swift—Amazing!

If I were to calculate the speed at which this play amazed me, the answer would be faster than you can say “speed.”

With creative props, intrinsically detailed set and costume, and colorful character dynamics, the Denton Dayco Radio Hour Players wowed everyone as they executed a re-imagined version of Keanu Reeves’s hit movie. The play was packed with twists and turns as the radio company encountered adversities such as a series of drafted voice actors! It was truly a ride for both the audience and the actors as they made good use of physical comedy that is almost toon-styled. Moreover, I could conclude that the twist at the end is truly empowering despite having the entire show loaded with jokes and zingers.

If you are wondering how Keanu Reeves’s popular movie was in a different universe, then you should definitely see this play! It runs until August 24th at venue 27: Sugar Swing Ballroom.

Every year there are true Gem's at the Edmonton Fringe, this is one of them. I hope SPEED is a hold over cause I plan on watching this show again.

Everything a fringe show should be. Funny and weird. Taking 2 well known things smashing them into each other and flipping it on its head. A must see for anyone who loves to fringe. 5 stars id love a celebratory trip to war.

If you think you know what you're getting with this show, you're probably wrong. In the best possible way.

I was not expecting Keanu Reeves and the mannerisms and catch phrases from "Keanu" I think really set the tone for this mash up. Set in the midst of WWII, an increasingly drunk Orson Wells and the crew at Dayton Dayco Radio Hour create a visually fun spectacle in the retelling of the tale.

I think it would have been funnier if it was a trolly unable to go more than 15 mph (with a running gag of people mistakenly hearing 50 mph) to keep within the 1940's theme, but perhaps keeping it as a bus at 50 is a subtle hint at the "absurdisms" you're about to encounter.

I think the acting was incredibly strong and each played up their mannerisms authentic to the period (except Keanu who clearly is not in the 40's) with perfection.

I also found it funny to keep emphasizing the American Way when Keanu is Canadian. Not sure if that was intentional, but it was a bit of a high brow comedy nod that made me laugh.

This may not be as fun a ride if you've not seen the original source material, but that is just speculation.

Very fun watching the cast act out the radio drama. The Boyds and their collaborators created a detailed set, and the actors were all enjoyable to watch. There's a recurring gag involving telegrams that got a good laugh each time from the audience. This company's show last year about the creators of Batman was excellent, so I was very pleased to not only see them return this year, but also to have a sold out audience at the performance I attended. This team does great work, don't miss it!

Very cool "pre-show" bit. Great cast, especially the actors playing Keanu Reeves and Orson Welles. All sound effects are generated live with an impressive set of props. Very fun overall.

My only quibble is that the whole cast should come out at the end of the show for the final round of applause. You guys deserve to take a bow.

Fast-paced, ridiculous, and full of so many Easter eggs that you probably won’t catch them all. You don’t have to catch them all though, to enjoy the carnage that is Speed, the radio show.

Expect Keanu Reeves from the 1990’s, Orson Welles from his commercial-reading years, and the eternal flame of American war-time patriotism, fed by the kerosene of capitalism. Oh, and an arsenal of classic (and novel) noisemakers - slide whistle, coconuts, and cowboy boots on sticks.

Chaotic, unflinching, and an absolute riot. Check out the Denton-Dayco imitation Speed for an unhinged fringe comedy in its truest form.