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What would happen if your Air BnB guest showed up for the night and then never left again? When saving the farm calls for a modern approach, a couple at odds finds themselves hosting an odd-ball and things get funny fast. Cado is the work of 19-year old playwright Ian Kuiken, and is performed by a cast of (mostly) young actors who are participants in G.R.A.F.F.I.T.I., the Fringe’s youth mentorship program. What Kuiken lacks in sophistication, he makes up in hilarious characters, fast-shooting dialogue, and perfectly timed poignant moments that are just long enough to drive his larger message home. The cast is strong, and does a great job. It seems like perhaps one or two stage cues were missed, but hey, on opening night even the seasoned pros have their slips. After all, that’s what live theatre is all about, isn’t it? Featuring themes around sex and weed culture, this play is perfectly rated at 14+. Liz’s note: The play is called “Cado” and is performed by G.R.A.F.F.I.T.I. - Green Room At Fringe Festival… Is The Initials. It was performed at Havana Theatre as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Elizabeth Goode
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*Trigger Warnings for This Show* - Sexual assault, violence against women, slut-shaming Although Box of Freedom claims to be a comedy-centered production, the show itself proved to be anything but. Dealing with serious and triggering content, Box of Freedom seemed to brush off its own graphic portrayal of sexual assault and violence as a way to build intensity in the plot. The true depth and seriousness of this show's content was not demonstrated by the cast, who, through forced tears seemed unable to sink in to the emotion that they were so energetically attempting to portray. The narrative itself, which appeared to switch back and forth between timelines, lacked clarity and cohesion and was more perplexing than it was entertaining. Box of Freedom is a bold attempt at navigating the complexities of a refugee crisis, violence towards women, sexual assault, along with a number of other intense and harrowing subjects. The potential of this production is undeniable, and it is a brave pursuit to engage these ideas on stage. Unfortunately, once the Box of Freedom has been unpacked, its contents inevitably fall short. Box of Freedom is playing at Studio 1398 September 6 - 16 as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Madisen Steele
Roy & Janet is produced by Theatre Terrific, which is a company that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. It is playing at the Woodward’s Atrium in downtown Vancouver. Roy & Janet is reminiscent of the plot of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and has a message of love from mother earth mixed in. This performance definitely utilizes the Woodward’s Atrium to it’s full advantage. The performance incorporates abstract props, staccato music, movement formations and dance to reveal a deep and beautiful message of love, hope, and confidence. The performers are multi-abled and truly beautiful to witness. This performance will make you feel warm and fuzzy and that anything is possible! Roy & Janet by Theatre Terrific is playing at the Woodwards Atrium 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Selene Dublanko
My video review above addresses the trigger warnings for this show. Be aware of topics such as child sexual and physical abuse, abuse denial, and acts of violence such as yelling, throwing things, and overall family trauma. Carriage opens with Evelyn Lynden preparing for her daughter’s wedding. Her daughter in law, Grace, and son, Daniel, enter and the dynamic is made clear immediately. Evelyn does not like or respect Grace and dotes on Daniel. She consistently undercuts Grace in a variety of subtle and direct ways. Grace, played by the playwright Elise McRae, swallows her reactions out of consideration or her husband. The affection between the two characters is beautiful and sweet, the way they touch each other and lean into one and other communicates that these two have been together a very long time, we find out later they were high school sweethearts. Lucy, the bride to be enters with her fiancé, Simon, and the drama begins. What follows is 60 minutes of vulnerable, raw and highly emotional content. Almost every relationship in the small group is blown wide open, and not every one gets put back together. Technically this play was exceptional. The stage is well utilized, very basic stage props are used, lighting is consistent, the acting is really allowed to speak for itself. The play is beautifully written and executed. The actors have taken the time to craft their interconnected relationships in a way that they feel completely authentic. The action comes together in a way that is so believable it is possible to forget you are watching a performance. Kudos to McRae for tackling such a poignant topic with such aplomb. ~ reviewed by Brieanna Fiander
Correction: Fassbinder wrote this story in the 1970s, not the pre-war early 20th century as I mistakenly mentioned in the video. This modern take of Fassbinder’s 1972 movie features a cast of local emerging artists. But even though they’re all quite young, they handle the mature and multilayered themes that run throughout this play with skill and authenticity. This plot follows two female lovers as they navigate the boundary between love and ownership. This is not a play about the challenges LGBT lovers face specifically so much as a story that anyone who has ever been in love or lust can relate to. Especially compelling was the performance of Shelby Satterthwaite, who plays the role of Petra’s assistant. Satterthwaite is proof of that popular theatre trope that there are no small roles, only small actors. And in her role as Petra’s assistant, Satterthwaite is anything but small. She has no lines, but is on stage at all times, and the expressions she lets her character make are the most accurate indicator of Petra’s truth and lies at all times during this play. Be ready to for the sort of drama that doesn’t leave you rolling your eyes, interrupted by moments of comedy that land just right. This show is a must for any film buffs and those who have always felt that gender roles fit them just a little too tight. The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant by Midtwenties Theatre Society is playing at the VanCIty Culture Lab as part of the Dramatic Work Series in the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Elizabeth Goode
FIX tells the troubling stories of 7 individuals across generations affected by addiction, in such a beautiful way that their content is a startling contrast to their delivery which makes these stories very compelling. The alley setting allows the audience to literally travel a journey along with the performers and explore their wounds, their fix and the subsequent result, not necessarily in that order. Some performers are better than others, and some stories more relatable than others however it's clear that the overwhelming need to numb is consistent and real as are these people. Eye opening and edgy, these performers should be commended for displaying their scars in an effort to encourage understanding. FIX by The Elegant Ladies Collective is playing on site in Railspur Alley as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Karen Roller
Canadian politics has never been so exciting as when the cast of Trudeaumania re-enacts Pierre Trudeau’s time as Prime Minister of Canada. Trudeaumania is like Canada’s version of Hamilton for the States; the story of a man who greatly impacted Canada’s government and looked suave while doing it. Trudeaumania has everything a musical should have: great choreography complete with cheesy jazz-hands and a tap dance-off, three songs within the first ten minutes of the show, and great ear-catching music. The music explores several different styles including: tango, traditional, rap, rock’n’roll and the blues. The small but super energetic ensemble makes the show! Each member plays several different roles featuring their excellent vocal and facial expressions. Playing at the Firehall Arts Centre in Gastown this show is a must-see, and you might even want to go back for more! Trudeaumania by Walking Shadows is playing at the Firehall Arts Centre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Selene Dublanko Click "read more" for the full video transcript.
Direct Theatre Collective manages to interweave disturbing subject matter with playful moments without diminishing the significance of the message with Hysteria. They take you into a future of what if's which prompt you to contemplate their individual accounts of #metoo perhaps along with your own or of loved ones. Although some of the content may be shocking, it isn't presented in an overly crude or vulgar way other than some coarse language which is noted in the program description. Everyone left the theatre smiling which is an accomplishment considering the raw experiences that are shared. Even if they don't overcome some of the missed cues they had on opening night the production will still provide audience members with some smiles if not laughs as well as some serious issues to consider. Hysteria by Direct Theatre Collective is playing at the Cultch Historic Theatre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Karen Roller Click "read more" for the full video transcript.Trevor and Margaret is staged at XY, a nightclub with a small stage, made for intimate shows. And Trevor and Margaret get intimate while holding each other at bay. Is it love? Or is Trevor self-destructive? And when someone is self-destructive, will they go down alone, or will they take those closest with them? You may not find answers in this production but it will open up questions and give you and your theatre-going friends something to explore. The cast made good use of a small stage and a limited set and lighting. They had nothing more than three black chairs on stage. However, as characters came in and out of a scene and switched from interacting to monologue, both the lights and the chairs clearly indicated to the audience what was happening on stage. If you are in love, or think you might be, yet struggle with love and family dynamics and their interplay, this could be the play for you. Trevor and Margaret by Tomosuru Productions is playing at XY 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Melody Owen Click "read more" for the full video transcript.This show explores the concept of procrastination through acrobatics. Video games and fiction intertwine with real life. The structure could be stronger, and the show could have been longer, but the script was funny and I really enjoyed the idea of it. One of the main things about the show is it heavily relies on references to video games and anime culture. So if you aren't or in that world of video games or anime, you may feel lost or out of place in the theatre. The only thing keeping those references together is acrobatics. So the show mainly has acrobatics as the glue to keep the audience interested when all she starts to fall. (Haha, get it? Fall? It's acrobatics and they fall. Nevermind...) My Imagination Ran Away Without Me is playing at the Waterfront Theatre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Michelle Williams Click "read more" for the full video transcript. |
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