Dispatches from the Victoria Fringe Day Two The venue of choice for Day Two was the Metro Studio Theatre (Venue 3) where I watched a puppet eco-drama Beaver Dreams from Lost & Found Puppet Co, the Gift by two-spirit, mixed (settler and First Nations) performing artist John Aitken and Gail Noonan and LEER, a steam-punk themed, Hell-based, gender-bent adaptation from Shakespeare by David Elendune of Outpost 31. (My review of LEER will be … [Read more...]
Dispatches from the Victoria Fringe 2017 Day One
August 25, 2017 By 1 Comment
Dispatches from the Victoria Fringe 2017 Day One Thanks to Bema Productions, I was able to attend a dress rehearsal of Horowitz and Mrs Washington. On Day One, applying the scheduling theory of my long-time fringing buddy Arlene, I chose a venue—Fairfield Hall—and attended all the performances there. The evening included three world premieres—Inauguration Vacation by Annette Roman, timely and topical storytelling from the life of a political … [Read more...]
Victoria Fringe Festival 2017. My away picks.
August 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Victoria Fringe Festival 2017. My away picks. In 2006 I celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Victoria Fringe Festival and got truly bitten by the Fringe bug. I saw many more shows than originally planned, and had so much fun I decided to volunteer the following year (and did so until 2014 when I switched to reviewing). Over the years I’ve met many Fringe artists and followed their careers—both in Victoria and further afield. Even … [Read more...]
Victoria Fringe Festival 2017. My local picks.
August 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Victoria Fringe Festival 2017. My local picks. I’ve been fringing now seriously since 2006 (which really isn’t very long when you consider the Victoria Fringe Festival celebrates 31 years in 2017). In any given year I’ll attend 35-40 shows at the Fringe and 90-100 during the year. My recommendations are based on seeing previous iterations (in development at Intrepid Theatre’s YOU Show, UNO Festival, the Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival, UVic … [Read more...]
Ferdinand the Magnificent. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Nick Trotter.
August 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Ferdinand the Magnificent. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Nick Trotter. A kid-friendly show that will appeal to people who appreciate absurdity and weirdness. Nick Trotter brings Ferdinand the Magnificent to Victoria. How long have you been producing work on the Fringe circuit? As an artist/company? Ferdinand played at the Boulder Fringe last year; Victoria is his first foray into Canada. Is this your first visit to … [Read more...]
Six Magicians by Andrew Brimstone. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview.
August 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Six Magicians by Andrew Brimstone. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview. Andrew Brimmell, aka Andrew Brimstone, is a regular improviser with Paper Street Theatre Company (which is where I have mainly seen him perform over the last few years). He’s also a magician—which led to the creation of his new solo show. NB: the first four shows of Six Magicians run the first four days of the Fringe; the last two—the last two days. Mind the … [Read more...]
#FringeFemmes. Victoria Fringe 2017.
August 18, 2017 By 3 Comments
#FringeFemmes Victoria Fringe 2017 #FringeFemmes 2015. Photo: Leif Norman This year, Victoria Fringe audiences are fortunate to have 21 shows to choose from that are written and created by women, feature an all-women cast, or, are directed by women (even if the cast comprises men and women). I thought the last two categories might stretch the intent of the original #FringeFemmes hashtag and had the chance to ask none other than one of its … [Read more...]
Lovely Lady Lump by Lana Schwarz. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview.
August 18, 2017 By 4 Comments
Lovely Lady Lump by Lana Schwarz. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview. Aussie Comic Lana Schwarcz takes her personal experience with breast cancer and turns it into award-winning comedy, teaming up with Dense Breasts Canada to simultaneously raise the roof and raise awareness at Victoria Fringe Festival with Lovely Lady Lump. NB: Lovely Lady Lump is coming from the Edmonton Fringe and will not be in Victoria for the first weekend; there … [Read more...]
Interstellar Elder by SNAFU. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Ingrid Hansen.
August 18, 2017 By 1 Comment
Interstellar Elder by SNAFU. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview with Ingrid Hansen. Fans of Little Orange Man rejoice! Ingrid Hansen returns with her character Kitt, now a badass grandma in space. Interstellar Elder is a futuristic dark comedy (may not be suitable for children under twelve). NB: Interstellar Elder is coming from the Edmonton Fringe and will not be in Victoria for the first weekend; there are only five shows. … [Read more...]
Six Fine Lines by Mack Gordon. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview.
August 16, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Six Fine Lines by Mack Gordon. Victoria Fringe 2017. An interview. UVic Theatre alumnus Mack Gordon returns with a personal one-man show. “There are no written rules in life” he says. Learn more about Six Fine Lines and the process of creation. NB: Since Six Fine Lines is coming from Edmonton, the first show is Tuesday August 29th and there will only be five performances. How long have you been producing work on the Fringe … [Read more...]
