Kornelia Teresinska
How can Brigham Morris Young, the fourth Brigham and the fifteenth son, differentiate himself from the others? Simple! Become the late, great Mormon Drag Queen named Madame Pattirini!
Based on the true story of the "Qween of the highest order" The Late Great Mormon Drag Queen follows Brigham Morris Young as he steps outside the expectations placed on him and discovers a new identity through performing. Written and performed by Steven Morton, the show is both entertaining and surprisingly touching, especially as Young tries to find his own place while living in the shadow of his father and the expectations of being a good example for the other Mormon boys.
I actually got to see Steven Morton perform in Drag Me to the Opera last year, so I already knew I loved his voice, and he definitely did not disappoint this time around. His singing was one of my favourite parts of the show. The transitions were also incredibly smooth, making the story easy to follow as Morton moved between different moments and characters.
And as stated in the show, Jesus wore a dress, so why can't we? The Late Great Mormon Drag Queen is a fun and fascinating look at identity, expectations, and what happens when you decide to step outside the role you've been given.
I never thought I would say this, but I am now emotionally invested in a pigeon. A city pigeon. A city pigeon named Colum that is wanting to be the next star at the city fountain, to be exact.
A Sexy Pigeon show is a quirky, witty, and surprisingly energetic performance that turns an ordinary city pigeon into a hilarious theatrical experience. Sarah Ivanco brings so much energy to Colum, completely committing to the character and her mission to win back humanity's love for pigeons.
Some of the jokes had me absolutely hollering, especially the Gorillaz joke, as a Gorillaz fan myself, while others didn't land quite as well. Even so, Sarah's energy kept the show moving, and her audience interactions were something I definitely wasn't expecting. They made the performance feel spontaneous and kept everyone laughing in their seat.
And somehow, I actually learned a lot about pigeons. From the whole "rats with wings" reputation to the fact that pigeons and humans have something important in common: we both eat our feelings. Who knew?
A Sexy Pigeon Show is weird, playful, and full of personality. Not every joke landed for me, but when they did, they REALLY did. This was a very good show, and definitely one I won't be forgetting anytime soon.
Some shows make you laugh, some make you gasp from shock, and some make you cry. Melody of Memories somehow manages to do all three. From the very beginning, this heartfelt story of love, memory, and growing older had me reaching for tissues all within the first ten minutes.
There is something so incredibly touching about this show, and the songs make it even more emotional. A special shoutout has to go to "Can't Help Falling in Love"; this song makes me tear up every single time. The cast brings so much heart to their characters, but Shauna Rebus, who plays Mabel, was the one who stuck with me the most. Her performance was beautiful, and her voice made some of the show's most emotional moments hit even harder. Malik Hinton, playing Sean, was another standout, bringing so much warmth and heart to his character.
Then there was Drake Seipert as Jessie. And oh my god...I hated that man throughout the entire show. But that is EXACTLY what made his performance so good. He played Jessie so convincingly that I found myself genuinely getting angry every time he appeared, especially during "You'll Be Back." When an actor can make you feel that strongly about a character, you know they're doing something right.
One of the most beautiful moments of the show comes from Shauna Rebus and Brian Ault, who plays Marvin, singing "Say You Remember It Too." Their voices together were absolutely gorgeous, but there was also something heartbreaking about the moment that made it impossible not to get emotional. It was one of those scenes where the music, the characters, and everything they had been through seemed to come together all at once.
Melody of Memories is a show that reminds us just how powerful music can be. It can bring back memories, connect people, and make us feel something even when words aren't enough. It is funny, heartbreaking, comforting, and incredibly beautiful. If you have the chance to see this one, please do. This is a must-see.
Before the show even begins, our hostess, Lisa Krol, makes sure the room is protected by carefully placing a circle of salt around the audience to keep unwanted spirits away. From that moment on, Things That Go Bump creates an atmosphere where it becomes increasingly difficult to tell what is part of the performance and what might be something more, something on the other side of the veil! Even the biggest skeptic, like myself, may find themselves questioning what they just witnessed by the end of the show.
The performance combines storytelling, illusion, and audience interaction to create an experience that feels much more intimate than simply watching from your seat. There is something especially effective about being so close to the action, knowing that at any moment, you might become part of whatever is happening around the table. Lisa has such an amazing way of making the audience feel so immersed in the show that you almost find yourself hoping she'll pick you for one of her volunteers, while still keeping you constantly on your toes.
I won't give away what happens at the table, but Things That Go Bump is the kind of performance that makes you question your own eyes while you're watching it. "You see, but you do not observe", a line that becomes increasingly true as the show unfolds. If you enjoy a little mystery, a little fear, and not knowing exactly how something was done, this is one to check out.
"Age is just a number, so just change it!" is one of the many lines of a very uproarious comedy play about three witches from the same coven trying to come to terms with their age during Dru's Spawn Day. With their rivals, the Warlocks (Ptuh), lurking in the background, and the Fates looking for their new replacement, H.A.G.S find themselves having more to worry about than just getting older.
One of the most charming details about this production would be its props. They are just as charmingly ridiculous as the witches themselves, especially the beautifully crafted Book of Spells, which screams each time it's being opened or closed. Something I noticed as well was the cauldron itself. To me, it was so funny that it would spit out other props. It was the cherry on top. The attention to detail that this show has was absolutely immaculate, and it makes the world of H.A.G.S feel more playful and alive and real. You felt like you were down on the stage with them.
Bea was totally one of my favourite characters, mostly because of how effortlessly she delivered some of the funniest jokes in the show. Her character also has multiple unexpected reveals about herself and her backstory, which is why you should totally check out this show if you want to find out more about them. I was really struck by her hair situation, to say the least. If this doesn't convince you to watch, then I don't know what will.
One line that has stuck with me was the idea that someone could be "too old for a rickety rat" (or something along those lines). Yet, if this show proves anything, it is that you are never really too old to have fun, be ridiculous, or even find yourself caught in a little bit of mischief. Age may be a number, but this show makes a pretty convincing argument for simply not minding those changes. It's not like you have to tell your age to anyone; as they said, all witches look the same anyway.
No one really likes endings, do they? Well, why not watch a show with only introductions and just that? Martin Dockery: Forbidden City! takes the audience, sadly without actually taking us with him in the moving cinema that is going 600mph, on a completely ridiculous trip through his experience of the Forbidden City, all while being guided by an audio guide who just will not stop introducing itself.
The show is chaotic, weird, and actually really hilarious. With only an office desk in sight and a chair, Dockery's show might seem minimalistic, but it's definitely much more than that. I'm not one to go out and watch a one-man show, but this had me rolling in my seat. What I think makes this show work is how easily Dockery turns something that could have been a simple and forgettable story into something that keeps the audience really interested and makes it into an unforgettable experience for everyone. He has said during the show that he believes that teenagers are never really impressed by anything, but I found myself proving him wrong. His storytelling and comedic timing had the audience laughing throughout the show, and I was genuinely impressed by how consistently he could get the crowd to react to even the smallest jokes, like the one about cargo pants being outdated, which I totally agree with that they shouldn't be. There were plenty of moments that had the whole theatre laughing, especially with his completely top-tier T-shirt cannon that you must experience for yourself! It had me giggling in my seat.
You could almost feel Dockery's dread, fear and the look of defeat all at once whenever the audio guide came up, especially as he had to keep introducing the same idea of how it has a dial for volume and a map on the back over and over again. Somehow, each time he repeated it, it only made it funnier.
What starts off as a simple question of whether to buy the Chinese audio guide or not eventually becomes something much more personal. Without giving away where the story ends, the idea of "introductions" now takes on a whole new meaning for me, making "What a Wonderful World" feel like a fitting song to leave the audience pondering.
Totally would recommend!
Before a single word of dialogue is spoken, Jesus, Mary, and Jo captures the audience's attention by laying the foundation for the play's themes from the very beginning. As "Plastic Jesus" is sung by Mary while holding Jo in her arms, the audience is immediately introduced to the complex relationship between faith, motherhood, and the influence one person may have over another. As the story progresses, the small cast production continues to build on these themes through its dialogue and performances. What first appears to be a seemingly simple story about a mother trying to protect her daughter quickly becomes much more complicated as the audience learns more about the family's secrets that begin to come to light - but you will have to watch the show to discover them for yourself! Mary's influence over Jo becomes especially clear when she says, " I will move heaven to be a family again,". Her words reveal how deeply her fear of judgment by the people of the church shapes the choices she makes for her family. At the heart of the play is the changing relationship between Mary and Jo that becomes increasingly strained as the story unfolds. The actors bring a genuine sense of emotion to their characters, making the tension between them feel believable. When watching the show, the audience could feel the relationship being pulled apart by the secrets being unfolded with each second. The twists kept the audience on their toes, with several moments earning some gasps from the crowd. Mary's attempts to protect her idea of family, though rooted in love, start to affect Jo in many complicated ways, something both actors portray very authentically. At the same time, the play balances its more serious moments with humour, especially through Jo's boyfriend's attempt to build a career in modern Christian music, including his unexpected rap performance during the family's gathering to reveal their new miracle to the town. Overall, I would definitely recommend Jesus, Mary, and Jo to anyone looking for a play that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Ending the play with "Plastic Jesus" just as it began creates a satisfying sense of closure and brings the story back to where it started, even though so much has changed in everyone's lives, especially Jo's.
Period Problems is a lively and heartfelt show that mixes music, humour, and storytelling into an experience that feels both personal and universal. Lita’s sharp wit and openness turn everyday struggles into moments of laughter and connection, while also sharing touching stories about living with chronic illness. Christina’s visuals add playful bursts of creativity, making the show dynamic and fun to watch. It’s funny, uplifting, and full of heart, a celebration of resilience and honesty that will leave you smiling.
Drag Me to the Opera delivers plenty of laughs and glitter, but what makes it stand out is the honesty underneath. Aida Cupcake blends drag, comedy, and soaring opera with a moving story about chasing big dreams while wrestling with doubt. The mix of humour and vulnerability keeps the show both entertaining and relatable. It’s bold, heartfelt, and one of those Fringe shows that stays with you long after the final note.
Paloma & Joy is not your average magic show. What starts off with comedy and glitz soon turns darker, exposing the desperation of performers chasing fame and the ugly truths of colonialism beneath the spectacle. The white tiger is more than just a gimmick it becomes a sharp reminder of how easily people are treated as props. The performances kept me laughing one moment and uneasy the next, which made the message land even harder. Strange, clever, and bold, this show is one that sticks with you.