Leonie Habis

Forget your typical late-night talk show—Bimbos Save the World turns conversation into comedy, music, and complete improv chaos!

Hosted by Quetzala Carson, this late-night musical playback show combines interviews, comedy, improv, and music to explore the messy, funny, and meaningful parts of making a difference. This night’s guest, Brooke Rose, brought such a warm and genuine energy to the conversation, making it easy to see why the show feels so welcoming.

The chemistry between the Intersectional Improv Ensemble and Band was especially impressive. Despite the group only being together for only two or three months,you would never know it from watching them perform. The cast bounced off each other effortlessly, turning conversations into hilarious scenes and songs on the spot. The audience’s Bimbo Confessions and Breakthroughs also made for an entertaining finale!

What makes Bimbos Save the World stand out is its ability to be completely ridiculous while still creating space for genuine conversations and self-expression. Carson and the creative team have built an environment where people can be messy, honest, and unapologetically themselves.

A huge kudos to the improv ensemble and band for their quick thinking and fantastic chemistry, as well as Carson and the creative team for creating such a safe and entertaining space. Bimbos Save the World is perfect for fans of improv, comedy, music, and anyone looking for a show that celebrates being your authentic self. Come for the bimbos, stay for the chaos!

What do Celine Dion and Cher have in common? Apparently, they have a lot of life advice to share! Celine and Cher: Divine Divas, created by Marysia Trembecka, combines iconic songs, comedy, and storytelling into one fabulous celebration of two legendary performers.

The show turns hits like “My Heart Will Go On” and “If I Could Turn Back Time” into humorous life lessons, mixing singalong moments with plenty of audience interaction. Trembecka brings a fun energy to the stage, and some audience members were clearly having a fantastic time joining in on the fun.

While the show wasn’t quite my personal favourite, it has plenty of charm and laughs. Fans of Celine Dion, Cher, and comedy will likely have a great time singing along and embracing their inner Divine Diva!

Step into a world where every story feels like it has been passed down through generations. Witch With Her Skirt on Fire, created and performed by storyteller Megan Markham, is a magical collection of tales about witches, pain, growth, and the power of magic.

Performed in a non-traditional space, the show proves that you don’t need elaborate sets or countless props to create an enchanting world. Markham’s expressive physical storytelling and vivid, descriptive language bring each tale to life, making it easy to picture every magical moment. Her stories feel like comforting fairytales, the kind I’d personally want to hear as a child before falling asleep.

With its whimsical atmosphere and captivating storytelling, Witch With Her Skirt on Fire is a charming choice for anyone who loves fairytales, folklore, or a little witchy magic.

What happens when a comedy show turns into a conversation with the entire room? Aliya Kanani: Conversations proves that the answer can be surprisingly hilarious.

Award-winning comedian Aliya Kanani blends stand-up with spontaneous audience conversations, creating a show that feels different from anything else. She effortlessly switches between laugh-out-loud jokes and more sincere moments, making even unexpected topics (like whether or not you should lie to your kids…) entertaining!

Audience participation is also a big part of the experience, but Kanani makes sure everyone feels included—even if you’d rather sit back and listen. Between audience answers and genuine conversations, the room quickly feels like one big group chat.

Conversations is upbeat, welcoming, and unpredictable, making it a great pick for anyone who loves comedy, audience interaction, that feeling of community, or simply wants to experience something completely different. Come curious—you’ll leave entertained!

What happens when you take one of the most famous movies ever made and give it a completely new perspective?

Blackground turns classic films into hilarious improv experiences, imagining what the Black characters might have been doing while the original story unfolds. This all-African-American comedy troupe brings together talented performers to create a fresh, unpredictable take on familiar movies. For this performance, they tackled Titanic, transforming the well-known film into a series of unexpected, ridiculous, and genuinely hilarious scenes.

The performers worked incredibly well off each other throughout the show. Their “yes, and” skills were a highlight, with each performer building on the others’ ideas and somehow keeping the chaos moving in the right direction. Even when a scene went completely off the rails, they were great at finding their way back to the main storyline without missing a beat. Their chemistry made the performance feel spontaneous and energetic, and the audience was constantly given something new to laugh at.

Overall, BlackGround was a fun, creative, and highly entertaining show. If you enjoy comedy, improv, or just want to see a familiar movie turned completely upside down, I’d definitely recommend checking out BlackGround!

This show was most definitely spreading the love!

Opening night of Spotlight Cabaret’s Lady Marmalade: A Parisian Spread was a colourful, chaotic, and thoroughly entertaining trip through romance and mayhem. Written by Aimée Beaudoin and Jeff Halaby and directed by John Hudson, the production follows Satine and Ewan McGregor as they navigate a whirlwind of love, deception, and theatrical chaos in a Parisian cabaret.

The chemistry between the actors was one of the show’s strongest points, making the romantic moments feel convincing while keeping the comedy lively. The catchy pop soundtrack kept the energy high, with familiar favourites the audience clearly loved. The colourful costumes added to the spectacle, while the cast’s strong vocals and committed character work brought each eccentric character to life.

The production definitely embraces its over-the-top nature, and that commitment makes it especially fun to watch. From the dramatic romance to the ridiculous comedy, Lady Marmalade delivers exactly the kind of theatrical chaos its premise promises.

Enjoy comedic, jukebox musicals (and outrageous amounts of sequins)?, Lady Marmalade: A Parisian Spread is a show worth spreading the word about!

This show was more than just a cop-out—it was a robo-riot!

Cousins in Law Productions brings the ridiculous premise of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ROBOCOP: The Musical to life, imagining what the classic action film would look like with the musical treatment of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Following RoboCop as he navigates crime, corruption, and his new life as part-man, part-machine (and obviously, all-cop), the show is packed with absurdity and humour.

The cast’s strong vocals were one of the production’s biggest highlights, adding impressive musical energy to an intentionally ridiculous story. The physical comedy was equally effective, with the performers fully committing to the exaggerated style of the show. The cast also worked seamlessly together during set changes, keeping the action moving without disrupting the pace.

While the concept alone is hilarious, the commitment of the performers is what makes the production work. ROBOCOP: The Musical knows exactly how silly it is and embraces it wholeheartedly.

If you enjoy campy comedy and ridiculous musicals, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ROBOCOP: The Musical is worth checking out!

I didn’t expect a lecture on Bigfoot and Mothman to be one of the highlights of my first Fringe experience, but Field Zoology 301: Myths & Monsters had me smiling from beginning to end. This one-man show from Victoria comedian and writer Shawn O’Hara takes the audience on a bizarre, hilarious journey through cryptozoology, led by the wonderfully questionable Dr. Brad Gooseberry. The show’s humour is definitely its biggest strength. O’Hara delivers joke after joke without letting the comedy become repetitive, and his playful audience interaction adds another layer of fun. Even when the material gets completely ridiculous, his commitment to the bit kept it entertaining. What makes the show especially impressive is how much O’Hara accomplishes with so little. Armed with only an overhead projector and a collection of hilariously hand-drawn slides, he turned a non-traditional performance space into an engaging campfire classroom. The low-budget setup didn’t dull the experience, I’d say it added to its charm. O’Hara mentioned that this was his first performance in two years and that he felt a little rusty, but you certainly wouldn’t know it from the audience’s reaction. His energy and comedic timing carried the show effortlessly. Even if cryptozoology isn’t usually your thing (which I'd assume since I personally wasn't aware it existed before this...), Field Zoology 301 is a treat. If you’re looking for a funny, unexpected show that exceeds expectations, this is for sure one to see!

Passion can be difficult to fake onstage, but in Featuring Loretta, it was impossible to miss. As my first show at the Fringe, Soapbox Players’ production of George F. Walker’s Featuring Loretta was a memorable introduction to the festival. Directed by Daisy Brazil, the production balanced outrageous humour with darker themes of independence and desperation, creating a show that was both entertaining and unpredictable.

At the centre was Elyse Roszell as Loretta, whose performance carried much of the play’s emotional weight. Roszell moved naturally between confidence, frustration, vulnerability, and humour, giving Loretta a convincing desire for independence.

The relationships between the characters were another highlight. Andreas Schroeder’s Dave and Sable B. Boltz’s Michael brought distinct personalities to the stage, while their interactions with Loretta created some of the production’s funniest and most tense moments. Their chemistry kept the story engaging. Holly Wandler also made a memorable impression as Sophie. Though not central to the plot, her mannerisms and accent gave Sophie a distinct presence.

Brazil’s direction tied these performances together effectively. The production felt energetic and purposeful, reflecting the passion she brought to the project. It embraced both the funny and uncomfortable aspects of Walker’s writing without losing sight of its characters.

As a first Fringe experience, Featuring Loretta was a great way to start: bold, entertaining, and memorable. If you’re looking for a show that is funny, unpredictable, and unapologetically chaotic, Featuring Loretta is well worth seeing!