Kylie Flanders
Chaos at a (kind of) Cost
How would you like to have your hand in the creation of a completely unique improvised production? Bribe the Director does exactly this, and it is so incredibly worth watching for it. Spend some big dumb bills to help pay for Paul’s-- the director-- costly divorce and see some unpredictable improv all at the same time. You can even pool your money with other Fringe-goers to buy something catastrophically hysterical, maybe even becoming an actor or director yourself. I absolutely love how dynamic, flavourful, and fun the bribing system of this show is and I bet you will too. Of course, audience influence is a major staple of the improv artform, however Bribe the Director brings this influence to an exciting new level, allowing interaction throughout the entire show, adding to the experience. This is undoubtedly a show to see-- more than once if your wallet allows-- and a fantastic experience for anyone who loves to instigate (or watch) a little bit of chaos.
Surreal and Self-Introspective
It’s not every day you meet someone from a town with no name, but 100% UnTrueBador is your chance to truly immerse yourself in the unreal. Written by Paul Strickland, this musical comedy places the audience into a surreal world of wool and soup, listening as themselves as Strickland tells tales of his elusive home town. Through his fantastic vocals and intensely playful guitar, you are guided step by step, story after story, as the unintelligible world of 100% UnTrueBador is translated and brought into your reality. Despite all of its self-contained whimsy, Strickland’s creation ultimately culminates into themes completely grounded in the strife of reality. Community, self expression, and grief all play major roles in the show’s various fables and songs, ideas that can then be applied to nearly anyone’s life. Alongside the fantastic comedy, this show is a fantastic watch for anyone who loves knowing the unknowable and understanding that which was not meant to be understood, so if that sounds like a good time, sign yourself up for 100% UnTrueBador.
More Than Her Son
What an incredibly important, significant, and powerful story to tell. Afeni, written by Adam Bailey, is an incredible single-person retelling of Afeni Shakur’s early life and trial as a Black Panther, performed by Onika Henry. Of course, she is Tupac Shakur’s, however her significance as an activist and freedom fighter extends far beyond her son’s own life. Using a simplistic set of a single black chair, the weight and impact Afeni’s life and struggles had on the progression of social justice is left to breathe and way upon the audience, making it (in my eyes) the perfect set. The simplicity of the entire show provides the same effect, utilizing a single actress in a perfect, efficient manner, never bloating or watering down the events of Shakur’s life. Empowerment and action is at the core of Bailey’s script, calling everyone to arms against the oppression we face and the injustices being committed every single day. Of the shows at Fringe, I imagine this is one of the more serious, and heavy productions, so if that is what you seek, I would highly recommend Afeni.
Down to Earth and on the Floor Laughing
Despite being British, Jimmy Hogg really knows how to get a Canadian crowd going. Potayto Potahto is an incredibly grounded, relatable, and humorously crass show that will get anyone on the floor laughing. Hogg has an incredible energy and stage presence that will have you clapping and laughing like no one’s business. From the moment your tickets are scanned by the incredibly courageous Hogg himself, you know how fantastic the comedy is going to be. With such an incredibly personable comedian, I cannot imagine anyone having a bad time at this astoundingly entertaining show. Tangents from greater storylines all lead back to amazing punchlines and callbacks, something Hogg has a unique talent for. As long as you aren’t an uppity banker who can’t help but brag about their passive income or a Johnny Two-Sheds, I am certain you will have a blast at Potayto Potahto.
A Shucking Fantastic Show
This show is incredibly surreal in all the most satisfying ways. From near-Seussian rhymes to superb puns, Sam’s Clam and Oyster Bar by Ethan Lang and Sam Daly is most definitely a uniquely distinct show. Set in the not-so-quaint, landlocked town of Salmon Idaho, an inexperienced Sam Trout, played by Nico Maiorana, is tasked to carry on his family’s legacy of, well, clam and oyster sale after his grandfather’s death. Alongside Pearl-- played by Sarah Kyle-- the bartender of his family’s bar, Sam faces debt, slimy business men, and the looming threat of a sea god out for revenge all while still trying to come into his own as a clam-and-oyster salesman. I absolutely loved the dynamic Sam had with the rest of the cast, acting as a straight man in a world dictated by comedy. In addition to the stellar compositions by Sam Daly, this show truly showcases the kind of passion and talent that is so latent in our great city. If you’re looking for unending laughter and a completely new experience, I would highly recommend Sam’s Clam and Oyster Bar as the show to see.
Loving Life Old and Young
Starting off this duo-show is Something’s Wrong by performer G.A. Northup, a play that truly establishes the themes that connect the two performances. Following the only living relative of a woman with dementia, Northup’s Something’s Wrong is a touching portrayal of the struggles faced by the victims of mental deterioration. Through fear, loneliness, and hysteria, the audience is faced with the incredibly realistic struggles of an isolated woman coping with an unsure future; one such story that is underrepresented in media. The ideas of seniors’ struggles continues to the next play, A Little Something for the Ducks, by Jean Lenox Toddie. This show is kicked off immediately with the playful banter of two individuals, both spending their time at the duck pond. As a light-hearted verbal battle begins over whether or not they should feed the ducks, the story escalates into something much more meaningful. Delving into themes of the value of time and life and the appreciation of said life, A Little Something for the Ducks puts into perspective the way humans grasp for meaning in anything, especially when they have nothing. If you enjoy demure, family friendly humor with a strong dose of powerful meaning, I would highly recommend attending A Little Something for the Ducks.
Growing; Inside and Out
A hilarious time for parents and kids alike; Gabriel Quirk truly shows off his craftsmanship and talent in all things art through The Garden Variety Show. The audience is instantly included into the show as a sound effect orchestra, buzzing like bees or forming the chorus of the sun. Even as a teen I had an absolute blast with all the family-friendly jokes and pop culture references. Despite its generally light hearted attitude, The Garden Variety Show found ways to be extremely relevant in modern politics, especially regarding trans rights and identity. I absolutely loved the overall message of love, acceptance, and growth ever present in the show, and would be suspicious of any critical receptions regarding this message. Another standout was the absolutely masterful craftsmanship of the puppets and set, both of whom added tons to the immersion and atmosphere of the show-- Quirk is an incredibly talented puppeteer and artist. Overall, if you are looking for a children’s show style show with lots of laughs for the whole family, you will love The Garden Variety Show.
Worldly Comedy
With an amalgamation of his various worldly travels, comedian Fedor Ikelaar presents his stand-up show No Die!. From Thailand to Sierra Leone, Ikelaar brings the audience to sites all over the world upon the vessel of hilarity, drawing laughs like no one’s business. The variety in the kind of jokes being told-- crass, political, or otherwise-- was spectacular and always kept me on my toes. Additionally, Ikelaar took time to recognize the often uncomfortable topics of the Netherland’s (his home country) past while still maintaining an undoubtedly fantastic attitude within the room. I highly recommend No Die! to any Fringe-goer or comedy fan looking to hear some insane stories from a seriously talented comedian, or anyone who isn’t a fan of Winnipeg (if you go, you’ll get this joke).
Be Silly and Free
It takes great confidence to truly express oneself, a feat I believe Andrew Wade has achieved through this show. Exploring themes of whimsy, order, and reality, ‽Silly Poems for Awesome Adults‽ presents itself as unserious despite the potent meaning within the poetry presented on stage. Wade proves that although impressive, not all poetry must be bound by strict, traditional observations of skill, using the artform as a way to encourage a more playful way of life. In addition to this reinterpretation of poetry, Wade enhances his storytelling through the incorporation of some truly personal admittances, building a truly intimate connection between himself and the audience. This performance is a message pointed at those who try with all their might to find the joy in all mundanity, encouraging them to push forward and continue in their seek for novelty. After watching this show, I can confirm the poems were silly and the adults were awesome, so if a light-hearted yet intensely personal experience is what you are seeking, I highly recommend ‽Silly Poems for Awesome Adults‽.
Love in Water, Life as Waves
Young love; a concept so culturally synonymous with misfortune and tragedy, with fleeting beauty. From Greek mythology’s Orpheus and Eurydice to Shakespear’s Romeo and Juliet, not a soul can doubt this eternal story of mystical love and misery has lived and will live forever in the hearts of playwrights and enjoyers. Joining this famed roster from within our very own Edmonton, Alberta is the heart-wrenching musical Cliona’s Wave, written by Ethan Bintu-Watt and directed by Ocean Pettigrew. Debuting at this year’s Fringe, this classic yet innovative tale incorporates Celtic lore and Irish pub life with the stories of old, forging something truly unique.
Based on the Irish tale of Cliodhna, the goddess of love, and the tragic end of her relationship with her mortal lover Ciabhan at the hands of the sea god, Cliona’s Wave encapsulates all the beauty and devastation love may lead. Following the sarcastic yet timid baker Niall, played by Kohen Foley, and his bolder, more outgoing pub-band lead singer counterpart Saorsie, played by Katie Moran, as they navigate blooming love and consequence, this musical opens on an incredibly endearing note. From pushy friends to bar ballads, the entire first act of Cliona’s Wave will have you completely endeared to the entire cast, barring the aggressively antagonistic dock owner Padraig, played by Zakary Matsuba, who unfortunately happens to be Saorsie’s father. Tensions regarding Saorsie’s freedom culminate into an outburst of anger, fear, and guilt, barrelling the previously heartwarming story towards the ultimate, doomed end of all young romance in theater.
Firstly, I must applaud the incredible work of Ethan Bintu-Watt. From gorgeous harmonies within the band and ensemble to quippy lines that had the entire audience laughing in seconds, Bintu-Watt’s talent for all things musical theater deserves an incredible applause. I especially loved the incorporation of Gaelic into a few of the musical’s songs as well as the inclusion of Irish pub classics. Of course, this production could not be possible without the performers on stage either. A few standouts for me were the pub band trio of Katie Moran, Ashlin Turcotte, and Autumn Chugg, whose tight and well practiced harmonies throughout the musical did not go unnoticed. Their song Molly Malone had my jaw on the floor from their musical precision. Additionally, the duo of Niall and his lazy, yet well meaning best friend Charles, played by Malachi Short, had incredible stage chemistry on stage, especially shining through in Friend Song.
Besides the cast, the crew was incredible as well. The scenic design by Bintu-Watt was simplistic yet effective, using various wooden planks as docks, stages, and cliffs-- whatever the scene called for. Quinn Woodruff’s lighting design was no less innovative, using the lighting to both immerse the viewer and invoke feeling as the story called for either. One of my favourite moments in the show was the scene in which Niall and Saorsie shared a moment atop a cliff overlooking the Irish coast, a moment that was most definitely heightened by the use of a spotlight to mimic a lighthouse’s beam. Not only did this one choice add to the atmosphere, but also the deeper message of the musical.
The love, dedication, and talent that went into this production is obvious; nothing but the labour of love could produce such an artistic, timeless musical. If you have the chance to watch it, I highly encourage you do; whether you stay for the jokes or the heartbreak, I promise you will love it-- and when you leave, look at those you love knowing that life is fleeting as the ocean, but love is eternal.