Kara Annett

This was a phenomenal show. From the moment I stepped into the theatre, I was immediately struck by the atmosphere, reminiscent of an antique store or an old jazz bar. The performers are not only incredibly talented singers, but they take on multiple roles and play a variety instruments to boot!

There were a few parts of the stage that were obstructed from where we sat, but the performers use the entire floor as their stage, dancing across carpets as they weave their tale. The show was also incredibly high energy, and the audience participation was so fun! I worried this show might drag due to the length, but it flies by.

Incredibly atmospheric and with impressive performances from all involved. The non linear storytelling might be a deterrent for some, but it kept me engaged even after I figured it out. This show came highly recommended to me, and I would recommend going in blind and letting yourself get swept into the story. All in all, this is a haunting show with spectacular performances and I think anyone who enjoys music, folk tales, and doesn’t mind a more abstract show should check it out.

As a lifelong Archie comics enjoyer, this was fun! Personally, I think some of the jokes went on for too long and could’ve been cut, but there were some that genuinely made me laugh out loud. The sound effects and the language (egads!) from the source material was also a great touch! This is one of the only Archie adaptations that really highlight how awful Archie could be.

I liked the nods to the original material and it was impressive seeing the cast take on multiple characters. It would’ve been fun to also riff on some of the other Archie mini comics, like Katy Keene or the Little Archie instead of just doing the Lil Jinx parody. I also think Jonsey/Jughead should’ve had the size of role that Reggie had, but once again that’s just me being nit-picky.

The songs were fun and aside from a few technical issues early on, the show went smoothly. The ending felt a bit abrupt, but the show was overall enjoyable and something I’d recommend to those who also keep an archive of Archie’s in their closet.

I want to preface this by saying I don't want to invalidate the playwright's experiences. Women still suffer under the patriarchy and will continue to do so until change is enacted.

That being said, I wish this show had gone deeper. It felt like a surface-level look at feminism that at times felt disjointed. Maybe this is more palatable for a wide audience, but it doesn't feel revolutionary to me. Some scenes seemed to drag (such as the list of men who are ok --also how did Keanu Reeves not make that list??), while others took a moment to understand what was going on (my friend noted this for the pageant scene in particular). It was reminiscent of the fourth-wave feminist movement to me, and had me thinking this would've hit better in 2012 in the era of "Girls" and "Shrill". I also found the director breaking the fourth wall to talk to the audience while changing set pieces also very distracting and took me out of the play.

The actors were funny and engaged with the audience (shout-out to the actress asking if our boy pets were feminists!) and it was clear they had fun taking on different personas (I think they really enjoyed playing the frat boys, which was fun), but there's only so much they can do. I wish this had been more intersectional and missed an opportunity to address the additional issues those who are not white face. I don't think this was a bad show, but I felt like it could've gone deeper on its subject and been tighter with more tweaks to the script.

I absolutely loved this show and it's my favourite of this year's fringe so far! Maybe it's because I love vampires and have read John Polidori's work, but I had a blast seeing this story being brought to life in a way that was humorous while still staying factual (no easy feat).

Both actresses were fabulous, with Polidori's "straight" act balancing Byron's over the top dramatics. Byron could've easily overpowered the show, but both actresses held their own and worked well together, using physical comedy and making full use of the stage and its simple set. They fed off of each other well (no pun intended) and I felt fully immersed in the story and laughed hard at several points. The puppetry scenes were fun, and the jokes thrown in balanced some of the darker subject matter. It was a tight 60 mins, which seemed to be the perfect amount of time for this show. I also need to shoutout the costumes, which made me want to go thrifting for a billowy-sleeved shirt. Seeing it in a church was the icing on the cake, and the use of lighting really heightened the Gothic atmosphere.

10/10 would recommend but especially to fellow vampire enthusiasts, Gothic lit fiends, and those who are so ready for Halloween.

This was my first Fringe show for 2026 and it set the bar high. The show is incredibly atmospheric, and seeing it at night made it even more so. The use of music adds another layer, and the way Lisa Krohl interacts with the audience was engaging. Based in historical practice, this show had a unique premise, and its use of props made it even more immersive. Audience participation plays a major role in this, so if that's not your thing, beware.

The audience was on the smaller size for opening night, but I think this would be even better with a larger crowd to feed off of the energy of the performer. Krohl holds her own, and helped make even the shy participants at ease. The smaller venue coupled with the dim lighting made for an intimate show that brings to mind the seances of the late-1800s. Overall, a great, spooky start to Fringe that I would recommend checking out (especially after dark).