The Beanstalk Market Crash

This is such an innovative and polished piece, with such a high degree of production difficulty, with analog overhead protectors, video cameras, puppetry, and soundscapes. The duo pulled it off in La Cité Francophone theatre, and it was such a visually beautiful piece. This production is a top tier Fringe piece, and is an example of the beauty that Fringe can offer. Go see the holdover shows, as it would be lovely to see this production in a new venue (the Arts Barns).

This show is magical.

Easily the most creative show I've seen this Fringe.

The base premise is ridiculous: Jack's heirs are having a capitalist dispute with the Goose that laid the golden egg.

The story is told through a combination of shadow puppetry, overhead projection, camcorder tricks and forced perspective. It cannot be undersold what a magic trick the puppetry is. The crowd was gasping and giggling with joy as they pulled off some really cool puppetry tricks.

You don't want to to miss it.

I would give this show 10/5 stars if I I could. I don't think I have ever seen another show that I could describe as being ART! What incredible concept, performances, use of technology, and creativity: this show has set my bar so much higher for what fringe theater can creatively be. I went in blind, just having heard good things and no idea what the plot was, and while I would recommend it to everyone, it would be hard to do this show justice by describing it so just know that you're in for an absolute TREAT. I can't wait to see literally whatever Mind of a Snail theatre brings to future fringe festivals. (Also, bonus thoughts as a teacher: this is the only acceptable use of an overhead projector in this day and age, and, I am absolutely in awe of the amount of work and time that I just know went into creating this production.)

These two are incredible performers. The use of different kinds of media through the production, and how seamless it all felt, was impressive. Funny and silly. Great show

This was a last-minute word-of-mouth recommendation and I’m so glad I went. Super creative, weird, funny, and just really fun to watch. The two performers are fantastic and it’s honestly wild seeing how they create everything right in front of you. One of those shows that feels very Fringe in the best way. Definitely recommend!

Very entertaining and creative presentation using camcorder and overhead projector to create a live film before your eyes. It was fascinating to watch as backgrounds and animations were created with moving scenes across the projector, using shadows, or using camcorder to record them. Both actors are filming, using the overhead projector, and acting in the play as Jack and the golden goose. The scenes involving shadows with the goose were very funny.

If you're looking for something lighthearted and imaginative to enjoy with the family, The Beanstalk Market Crash offers a playful and unconventional take on the familiar Jack and the Beanstalk story. Rather than simply retelling the classic fairytale, the production gives it its own quirky personality through humour, unexpected moments, and creative storytelling. One of the strongest parts of the performance is how much is accomplished with only two actors. Despite the small cast, the show feels much larger as the performers take on different roles and use props, projections, lighting, and handmade artwork to create new settings and characters. The transitions between scenes are smooth, and there is always something new happening on stage to keep the audience engaged. The handmade elements of the set are another highlight. Beanstalks, birds, and other detailed pieces help create a whimsical world that fits the strange and playful nature of the story. Instead of relying on a traditional stage setup, the production makes creative use of its surroundings, allowing the scenery and props to become part of the storytelling. The story itself is also given a fresh perspective through the different viewpoints of Jack and the golden goose. This adds an interesting twist to a story most audiences are already familiar with and makes the events feel less predictable. Unexpected turns throughout the performance keep the audience curious about where the story will go next. Overall, The Beanstalk Market Crash is a fun and inventive adaptation of a well-known fairytale. Its combination of humour, creative visuals, strong performances, and unpredictable storytelling makes it an enjoyable experience for both children and adults, while showing that even the most familiar stories can still be told in a completely new way.

AMAZING!!! Mind of a Snail does it again with their brand of shadow puppetry and story telling. Visually stunning, fun to watch, and touching. Hopefully this dynamic duo makes more appearances in the near future.

Would def recommend it to any one of all ages.

From what plenty of artists and volunteers have been telling me, this theatre company hasn’t visited in Edmonton in several years, but are not to be missed. And they were right!! The level stagecraft is bananas and like nothing I’ve seen at Fringe. Incredible overlaying of projector puppetry and live video. At this level of creativity, they probably could’ve shown something completely navel-gazing and plotless and I still would’ve enjoyed it. This was the whimsical, original anti-capitalist fable I needed after a full day of shows.

Even the score was full of bangers and made with a much higher level of care than I’m used to from Fringe shows.

If I were to critique one thing, it’s that the pace was fairly slow. This is forgivable given the style of theatre; moving the projector sheets and camera into place takes time, but it is well worth it.

Consider me a fan. I can’t wait to see what they bring to Edmonton next.

Creative and quirky fringe at its finest! I've been a fan of Mind of a Snail since seeing their inventive storytelling in "Caws and Effect", but I liked this one even more - it takes their signature overhead projector style that we know and love, but also incorporates live action and shadow puppetry components - it is truly a feast for the senses! Don't miss this!