Mandy Dee

Wow, I am still trying to process this one (seen this afternoon, the noon performance)!

I wanted "something different" from my usual Fringe offerings, and man, did this ever deliver. Greek myths are not typically my cup of tea, but I was vaguely familiar with this one, which is why I decided to go for it. The trio of actors performing this are insanely talented - body language, tone, costume changes, the works. The actor playing Electra in particular was outstanding, and unhinged in the best possible way. The staging is simple, but you can't look away.

I really hope this company returns to Edmonton, I'd love to see another show of theirs. If you are looking for a dramatic performance for the ages, definitely check this one out.

I came to this show fresh off one with heavier material and I was looking for a pick me up, and this absolutely delivered! If you like quirky murder mysteries crossed with a soap opera that has live piano accompaniment (who absolutely made several scenes with the music!) and will keep you both laughing and guessing as to who the killer is, this is a show for you! All the actors are perfectly cast, and there a few twists to the plot that made our audience gasp.

Christmas in August? Sure, why not! Easily my most favourite show I've seen so far! An absolute riot from start to finish, I look forward to seeing anything with this company, and this show absolutely did not disappoint. Absolutely recommend - the comedic timing on everyone's part was just so, so good.

A note about the specific show I saw (Tuesday night) - it was announced just before the start that one of the actors was being replaced for the performance (we found out after the show that they had been in an accident earlier in the day), and the alternate absolutely stole the freaking show (they went it cold, with zero rehearsal). Yes, it was a non-speaking role, but the character they played absolutely made several scenes. Kudos to this company for pulling something like this off, and it shows just how valuable understudies and alternates are to the theatre - they really do ensure that the show must go on.

This was difficult for me to rate, because while it is an exceptionally well done show, I just don't think it was the show for me. All three actors were phenomenal (and I have seen numerous shows with them), but the story didn't go to where I thought it was heading, and there were some parts where I wasn't sure what was going on.

There were some laughs, but the meat of this story definitely makes you feel a little uneasy and uncomfortable and makes you think, and while that is definitely the entire point, I just didn't feel that it was my cup of tea. Your mileage may vary, and I would still recommend this, just be wary.

Note about the Gateway theatre - the first couple of rows are using the plastic, folding chairs, but the rest of the theatre has much more comfortable seats. If that matters to you, get in line early!

This was a fun show! Cast was great and had excellent chemistry, the costumes were fabulous (easily the best I've seen so far), dialogue was snappy and on-point, reflecting the period-piece nature of the show. Another review here described this show a a "screwball farce", and I have to agree. Mistaken identities abound in this one, and I was chuckling the entire time.

I'm rating this 4 stars rather then 5 because of some significant issues with the lighting cues during the performance I attended - they were definitely noticeable, and at one point one of the techs had to run across the front row of the audience to the main light switches on the side of the room to get the house lights back where they needed to be. If this wasn't the case, definitely a 5 star show for me, but the lighting issues did take me out of the narrative.

I'm still recommending this one, though, as the show itself is well done, just hopefully it fixes the issues with the lighting.

This show was not on my radar at all, but I managed to get a ticket to Monday night's sold out show, and it was very different than any other show I had seen thus far this year. It was extremely well done - set was simple, but effective, and the lighting and sound elevated the story (there's also a scene towards the end of show that involves the audience in a way I personally have never experienced - I won't spoil it here, but you are given something before the show starts to use during this scene!). There are some laughs scattered throughout, but the bulk of this show definitely left you sitting, waiting for what would happen next. There's a part in the middle where I was admittedly a little lost as to what was going on, but once I figured it out, I was fine, and it didn't affect my enjoyment of the show.

Highly recommend if you are looking for a dramatic, suspenseful, thriller-type of show.

I enjoyed the show that this company performed last year (The Show Must Go On), and decided to see this one, as well. Another show well done - lots of laughs throughout, the set was simple, but effective (this is at the Varscona theatre, which in my opinion is one of the better venues, both for sight and and amount of area on which the performers can use), and you can definitely identify with at least one of the characters! Some local jokes peppered throughout, as well, which certainly earned laughs.

Recommended if you are looking for a light hearted comedy!

This was my first Fringe show of this year's festival, and I loved this one! Lots of laughs throughout, and the two actors play off each other wonderfully, and are able to play numerous characters with a slight change of costume. I went opening night, and there were a couple of malfunctions that happened with the set (that I don't think were supposed to!), but the actors flawlessly went with the flow and made it all work just fine. I definitely recommend this one if you are in the mood for some light-hearted comedy.

Note about the Gateway theatre - the first couple of rows are using the plastic, folding chairs, but the rest of the theatre has much more comfortable seats. If that matters to you, get in line early!