Victor & Victoria's Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things

Oh I loved this. I thought the script was great; very funny, gothic, dark and ended in a perfect full-circle moment. I didn’t get bored once even though the show ran over time (80min).

The performances were INSANE. They were so tight and fast-paced that I can only shudder at the thought of all the rehearsals they must have had. The actors did a fantastic job of being campy while also drawing the audience into their problems and feelings. The energy was unmatched; this felt like watching a marathon-length sprint. Not to mention the physical comedy. This show was PACKED with thoughtful acting decisions.

The stage was also so fun. Gorey-esque set, lots of opportunities for creative blocking and movement across the stage. Lighting and sound easily kept up with the breakneck pace of this show to great effect. They had these techs Working!

I will certainly be keeping an eye on these artists in the future.

You want a dark comedy, here's a dark comedy. A well-produced show with a great set, lighting, writing, and acting. The two actors were phenomenal and had undeniable chemistry. Loved the twists and turns that the story had.

This show has its pros and cons. I really, really wanted to enjoy it more than I did. The premise was delightful and, were I to summarize the plot points, there's an incredibly entertaining story here full of excellent twists and turns. Using the narrative device of these two twins reading a story to each other was perfect! And, speaking of the twins, the performances were phenomenal!

That all being said - the energy is a bit one-note. We're in this high-energy mode the entire time. There isn't much time to contemplate things, to give our nerves a chance to rest and set us up for another jolt. Over the course of 70 minutes, it ended up being a bit too much for me, and I found my mind drifting. At one point, I even dozed off. Some of the jokes also really didn't land with me - I just don't care for making light of incest and pedophilia.

A lot of people seemed to really enjoy themselves with this one, but I can't say I'd want to see it again without some changes.

The hilarious chemistry between the actors playing twins Victor and Victoria, combined not only with their strong comedic timing and physicality, but also with their abilities to balance a sinister storyline underneath it all made this show an unforgettable experience that I would 100% recommend to any fan of the macabre, grotesque... and funny!

This show is AMAZING great storyline, how the plots twists I actually got chills,

the actors in this performance are best of the Fringe!!

very theatrical, professional performance

My pickup of the Fringe!!

Victor and Victoria's Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things can I first give all the love to the set? It has to be one of my favourite sets this year. There is a lot of colour contrast with black, white and red. It really brings it into the story and the chilling vibes this show is going for. In that there is some effect that beware of sensory human strobe light for the lighting/thunder effect and there is screaming.

I really enjoyed the character interactions with each other and the great use of the blankets and props to move the story and keep eerie vibes. If you want a creepy story that really works, this is a show to see!

" "What if we aren’t awake?” wonders Victor, half a set of Victorian twins, terrified and a bit thrilled by the nightmare he’s been having...." Check out the full 12thnight review!

If you're a fan of Tim Burton or Robert Eggers style of twisted, dark comedies, this is a show for you. The rapport between the actors is phenomenal, and every moment had me engaged. Though the script is a bit longer than most, it was still incredibly captivating and enjoyable. Prepare to be discomforted and highly entertained!

In one word: polished.

Both Yaschuk and Matkin give compelling, detailed performances. Their chemistry is undeniable.

The show itself is grim and hilarious and upsetting (in a good way!). Though the twist is predictable, this is actually to the benefit of the show -- the march towards the ending feels inevitable and the sooner you catch on the longer the dread builds.

The text is unafraid to go to some taboo places and the performers handle this content with skill (they strike the right balance between twisted glee and genuine weightiness).

Would highly recommend!

Every element of this production - from the performances, to the design, to the script - feels fully committed. Nothing is held back, and this leads to an incredible audience experience. Rain and Eli have wickedly in-sync chemistry and are giving outstanding performances both individually and in lock-step with the other's choices. The cryptic yet subtle set design and evocative lighting enhance the mood and guide you along as the twins immerse you into their terrifying and disturbingly realistic world.

The lack of a full 5 stars is due to several content warnings that were not included on the Fringe website that I strongly believe should have been included, as although I extremely enjoyed the show there were moments that I almost had to leave due to content I was not expecting. I will include the warnings below, but if you aren't concerned about the content and don't want spoilers please don't keep reading.

Content Warnings not included but should be: Cannibalism, Child Sexual Assault

The two actors Rain and Eli were stunningly enthusiastic and precisely matched to their characters. There wasn't a moment where you were not completely drawn into the story. Highly recommended.

Victor and Victoria's Terrifying Tale of Terrible Things is a "See it Again" production at the Edmonton Fringe.

I walked out of the theatre saying to myself, "I could see that again." And I just might if Victor and Victoria is held over. I hope so because the play deserves it.

The cast, Rain Matkin and Eli Yaschuk, have obviously lived with the script and their characters for awhile. I never for a moment thought the two were actors on stage reciting lines.

They were completely believable as two slightly (very?) odd set of twins telling a terrifying tale of terrible things.

And, Director/Designer Jim Guedo did all of the big and little things right. From the first light and sound effect, he grabs the audience and doesn't let go. We're in for a fun and scary 70 minutes.

The only reason I'm giving this production 4 stars instead of 5 is because I looked at my wrist watch twice during the play.

Again, it was a fun and a scary 70 minutes. With a few cuts, Victor and Victoria would make for a FANTASTIC 60 minutes.

Still, very, very good.

Gruesome! Grotesque! Great!

The hype I heard about this play lived up to the show. The set, lighting, direction, writing, and acting was all expertly delivered. The packed house was gripped by every twist and turn of Victor and Victoria’s horrifying tale of terrible things (to come for them). Find a time to see this play and buy tickets early as it is sure to sell out. Fair warning though… make sure you’re stomach is up to hearing the tale!

Face Your Fears, Change Your Future

An entertaining tale for an ecstatic audience. From the moment you step inside the theater, you are swiftly thrown into a dark and eerie Victorian setting.

Fraternal twins Victor (Eli Yaschuk) and Victoria (Rain Matkin) are filled with a burst of jittery energy after awaking from the same nightmare. To explore their thirst for terror, the twins enact the plot of a storybook. Unbeknownst to them, the book is full of horrifying twists that reveal things that change everything they know.

The technical aspects of this production are truly spectacular and sometimes terrifying, too! Though the set may not be the most extravagant, its creepy design creates a chilling atmosphere that heightens the drama and suspense. Even some individuals in the audience thought an eerie set piece was a performer. From flashes of lightning to light pouring in through an imaginary door, the fascinating lighting design made every audience member feel like a child hiding from the monster under the bed. Do not be alarmed if you don’t indulge in scary stories! This show has plenty of comedy to ease your nerves. Although one part of the story was lost due to a deafening sound, the actors’ expressive performances ensured the audience never lost track of the scene’s mood.

Yaschuk and Matkin have undeniable and bewitching onstage chemistry as horror-hungry and zestful siblings. They are so entertaining as they take on the roles of the characters in the storybook—it’s impossible to look away. The dynamic duo is equally strong in their theatrical skill, yet can push each other further to drive the story into new heights. Yaschuk and Matkin’s bouncing dialogue, youthful characterization, and silly actions immediately hold the audience’s attention from start to finish.

Fantastic show: a well-written and crazy well-acted thriller. Check this one out, and the full review on my blog.