Harseeret Pooni

Circus! is definitely the show to go for if you have small children with you, or even if you’re just looking for a fun time! The show follows a unique premise, where one of the circus performers is abandoned at the last minute by the rest of the circus, leaving only him to entertain the audience for the day. Using the help of audience members, Isaac Girardin puts together a show where you’ll forget that there’s only one performer on stage.

When you arrive at the venue, the first thing that will probably catch your eye is the impressive set. With simple materials, the artists were able to create a beautiful, traditional-circus looking set that immediately hooks you to the show. Another aspect that set this show apart from others was the high level of interactivity. Of course, other magic shows and performances of the sort involve audience members frequently, but since Girardin was the only one on stage, the constant help of audience members was necessary for the show to go on. Together, the performer and volunteers set up cool stunts that are rather simple, but they still get the job done.

In my opinion, the best part of the show was how entertaining it was for the children in the audience. To ensure that every single one of them got a turn on stage, Girardin set up a small parade at the start of the show, where the children (who were told to dress up in costume prior) got to march around on stage! It was a fun moment that I’m sure the children won’t forget.

If you’re hoping to see a Fringe performance that will captivate you with cool tricks and funny jokes, be sure to check this one out. After all, most people would like to see a show where audience members are stars!

A comedy-dating-reality-TV-magic show? Sounds outlandish, but it absolutely succeeded in making the audience laugh and giving volunteers the chance to shine on stage. Great and Powerful Tim: The Magic Bachelor follows the premise of a merman who is cursed and must find love on the surface within one hour.

The first thing I noticed about the show was that Tim Hoffman had great energy. His booming voice reminded me of that of an auctioneer, and he definitely knew how to improvise a good joke. From time to time, hilarious voiceovers would play from backstage, narrating the whole experience and adding to the comedic element of the show.

The tricks were, at first glance, unhinged, but they were extremely funny. Hoffman made volunteers feel at home when they were on stage, and there were moments during certain tricks where the audience was left cackling. One aspect of the show that separated it from other magic shows I've seen was the props. Every single trick involved props that seemed random and odd at first, but they worked astonishingly well in the end.

Great and Powerful Tim: The Magic Bachelor is a hilarious magic show that won’t leave you disappointed if comedy and reality TV are up your alley.

If being on the verge of tears while watching a magic show is your cup of tea, there is no way you can miss this show. A Magician is a life memoir of the magician Jordan Rooks that showcases the expectations of an artist, as well as the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to become one.

My first impression of A Magician was that it was a fun mix of stand-up comedy and magic. While this was true near the start, when Rooks was cracking back to back hilarious jokes between tricks, what I thought was a funny, lighthearted experience turned into a series of heartfelt stories. While telling his emotional life story, Rooks was sure to perform tricks that left the audience questioning everything they know about physics! His story included lessons about love and connection that brought the audience together, and through interactive moments with audience members, he gave them the chance to tell part of their story as well.

One of the moments that stuck with me as I left the venue was a quote during the finale of the show. Rooks was reminding the audience that love is the greatest magic of all, and he said “each one of you has magic,” which was an idea that made me feel empowered and liberated.

A Magician is a sincerely beautiful show that is worth the watch. It succeeded in impacting the audience on an emotional scale, all while unveiling some super cool tricks!

Never would I expect to know as much about straight jackets as I do after watching Houdini, but you learn something new everyday, right? Houdini is a show about the famous escape artist, Harry Houdini. The performer, Brett Oddly, brings back classic tricks and stunts that Houdini was known for, all while telling stories about the man himself.

The thing that caught my eye the second I walked into the theatre was the intriguing set. I must say, it had me questioning what I had walked into! Slowly, it began to make sense why there was a straight jacket hanging from a pulley mechanism on stage. Although the show was a magic show, Oddly cracked some jokes that made the audience cackle, keeping them engaged throughout. He also sparked hilarious interactions with the audience when he needed help with a trick.

The technical aspects of the show surprised me (which, after further consideration, might have been because this was my first magic show, but they were very well done). The dramatic, red lighting worked very well during the intro of the show, and the cortisol-raising music during dramatic stunts left the audience shook. I find it lovely that a magic show had such intentional theatric elements.

Overall, Houdini was a fantastic show that succeeded in leaving the audience stunned after each trick. Audience members should look forward to walking out knowing a lot about Harry Houdini, and witnessing a grand finale that will leave them shaking in their boots!

Who needs the Wizard of Oz when you can have the Wizard of One? A singular actor who can master every role sounds like a dream, doesn't it? The Wizard of One is a solo reimagining of the Wizard of Oz…except it’s set in a retirement home. The characters face challenges that are quite different from the original tale. The artists succeeded in turning a well-known classic into a new, humorous story that is simple yet effective.

Using distinct voices, physicality, and mannerisms, Neil James was able to breathe life into all 12 characters of the show. Along with his incredible acting, he pushed the plot forward using barely any props and stage space, dropping in cleverly integrated jokes along the way. The different voices and body language that James used were quite dorky, for lack of a better word, and they only added to the already spectacular comedic element. Another aspect of the show that made the audience chuckle was the hilarious fight sequences, emphasized by a goofy yet dramatic underscore.

The lighting and sound design weren’t anything to sleep on. Aside from the underscores during fight scenes, sound design included a lovely homage to the Wizard of Oz by playing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” during the opening scene of the show. A commonly used lighting element throughout the show was the use of cooler washes during the villainous, dramatic scenes, and warmer washes during the lighthearted, comedic scenes. I do wish there were more frequent changes in lighting, but for what the setup had to offer, the technical elements of the show did not miss.

The Wizard of One is definitely not a show to look past. It’s always lovely to see what a classic tale can become when put in the hands of a creative mind.

The moment I saw an actor dressed as an astronaut dog on stage, I knew I was in for a ride. MUTTNIK is a one-man theatrical production that follows the story of Laika, the first dog sent to space. From unexpected jokes to immersive, playful storytelling, the show kept the audience engaged every single second. The artists succeeded in their goal of crafting a lighthearted yet memorable experience, all while teaching us a history lesson about the space race!

To address the elephant in the room (or more so, the dog), Bruce Ryan Costella, as Laika, embraced his role to its full capacity. With impressive dog-like physicality and a consistent slavic accent, Costella demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the show. It is also worth mentioning how witty and unhinged some of the jokes were! From time to time, Costella would throw in improvised jokes that involved audience interaction, which only added to the humorous experience.

One element of the show that I found funny, but somewhat adorable, was that Laika was telling us stories from a rocket, so she referred to the audience members as “stars” during interactive moments, because she was supposedly looking out the window and conversing with the stars. It was a small detail that made me giggle.

In addition to comedy, the show’s emotional storytelling and lessons about home, love, and loneliness were unforgettable. Never would I expect to be moved by a space dog who misses her mother, yet here we are. It was the type of show where it makes perfect sense to laugh one second and feel sorrow the next.

The lighting and sound were minimalistic, yet effective. Sound effects consisted solely of a blaring siren that would interrupt Laika’s dialogue occasionally, adding to the show’s comedic element. Lighting was also quite simple, and it included a few different washes of colour. However, it took me a while to realise that most of the lighting effects were controlled by Costella on stage! Using more props in addition to the stool already being used could have made the show even more immersive, but overall, it was a job well done.

MUTTNIK is a striking show that won’t fail to crack laughs in the audience. It’s remarkable what one actor can do with a small stage, a stool, simple technical elements, and sheer dedication.