The Sad Saga of the Edmonton Interurban Railway
2026 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Aug. 14, 2026, 6:06 a.m.
☕️
Not My Cup of Tea

This show is exactly what it claims to be: a bittersweet saga of the Edmonton interurban railway. As a young reviewer who isn’t drawn to informative or documentary-style productions, I’ll admit this wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I noticed many in the audience (particularly those outside my age group) were attentive and entertained throughout the performance. It's a matter of interest.

The execution was more disorganized than expected, but I’ll chalk that up to first-night jitters. The show wasn’t flawless, but it wasn't a total trainwreck. The characters were well-portrayed, the accents consistent, and the props simple yet effective. The production leaned heavily into a talk-show style, with monologues that, while lengthy, sometimes felt rushed. The set was minimal and often not utilized, as were the costumes, though they added an olden charm to the stage.

Despite my lack of interest in the topic, the solo actor delivered an incredible performance. There were moments of chaos, but they recovered well every time. I admired their enthusiasm and dedication. I would love to see them in other comedic-leaning productions with a faster pace.

Would I rewatch this production? Probably not. Still, the intent behind it is there, and so is the passion for the arts.