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TJ Dawe has earned his reputation as a storyteller. A Canadian Bartender at Butlin’s is the most conversational of all the performances I’ve seen at the Fringe so far. Some of it is dramatized, but for the most part we simply see TJ sharing some of the stories of his life with us, recounting them casually and humorously like someone entertaining his friends around a campfire. Yet this is just a conceit. We do not see the usual stumbling of speech, groping for memories, or pawing for the right word that one would expect from a campfire story. Canadian Bartender is beautifully polished. That probably isn’t surprising because, although this staging is TJ’s first re-mount of the show in fifteen years, prior to that time TJ had learned it by rote. It’s the story of a young TJ’s sabbatical to a small, struggling seaside resort in England. The performance is one part narrative, one part observational comedy. This includes some beautifully witty and mildly dark humour about death as well as a lot of observations about the differences between English and Canadian culture. Some of these cultural differences seemed to me a little obvious. I wonder if, in the intervening years, Netflix and YouTube have made Canadians more aware of English customs and idioms? Or could it be just me? Overall, Canadian Bartender is a lot of fun and a truly nourishing experience. At the end, beneath the disarming wit and humour, the thought-provoking asides, and the absorbing narrative voice, we can also marvel at the craftsmanship required to make every element of the story come together into a satisfying whole. A Canadian Bartender at Butlin's by TJ Dawe is playing at the Firehall Arts Centre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Mattias Martens
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*Trigger Warning for This Show* - Discussions of suicidal thoughts, mental illness, depression, anxiety. Although this piece was only described as examining the plight of insomnia, it would be a disservice to Al Lafrance and to his audience to reduce I Think I’m Dead to such a simplistic description. Lafrance’s show is riddled with discussions of pop culture, family dynamics, inter-dimensionality, and most of all - mental illness. Lafrance takes a deep dive into his own consciousness at a pace which can only be described as “full-tilt”. Performed in an extremely intimate, dark, and hot venue, the intensity of Lafrance’s story is palpable in an almost confining way. Overall, Lafrance is a strong storyteller and a lovely person - His production I Think I’m Dead reflects these traits admirably. Al Lafrance: I Think I'm Dead is playing at Arts Umbrella 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Madisen Steele Click "read more" for the full video transcript.Cocky is a show about trigonometry as much as it is about catholicism. Which it is neither. Cocky is a storyteller that explicitly recounts moments of her childhood. These memories along with descriptions of her various immediate family members allow audience members to realize how childhood experiences, however seemingly insignificant, can shape the thoughts and feelings of a child. Touching on subjects such as alcoholism, death, divorce and religion, none of these specifically take the forefront but rather leave you with remnants of thoughts just as it seems to have for the storyteller. As much as Beth McLaughlin captures your attention with her storytelling ability she neglects to leave you with any closure, but perhaps that is her intent. Cocky by Beth McLaughlin is playing at Studio 16 September 6 - 16 as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Karen Roller Click "read more" for the full video transcript.Small Town Boys is a one-man show written and performed by Sean Leclaire Casey, originally a Canadian who now lives in Boston Mass. Casey's powerful tale is his own story of growing up in a small rough town outside of Montreal. Those were the days when being a man meant being tough and affection was shown more through closed fists than clasped hands. The stage setting effectively creates a ghostly memory of the Freeman Pub, a central character from the story of the lives of these Small Town boys. Casey interacts with the tables and chairs to take us across time and space to meet the boys and men of his youth and tell their tragic tales. It was the most 'theatrical' of the staging I have seen yet at the Fringe. The show lives up to its billing. It left me and others I spoke to with a sense of regret and loss for those sensitive souls that were entrapped in certain expectations of maleness. The stereotype of the macho male that is forged in those small towns is very much relevant in today's world where a resurgent view of the hyper-masculine, testosterone poisoned male is admired in some quarters of society. The show is an excellent educational piece to provoke discussion about gender stereotyping, social pressure to conform, and the potential to escape the conditioning of one's childhood. Small Town Boys is playing at Waterfront Theatre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Evelyn McKelvie Click "read more" for the full video transcript.Sharing their thoughts on body image, beauty, dating and societal expectations these sisters reveal their judgements and insecurities through what many would consider healthy and normal sibling ribbing. But does being a sibling excuse such scathing comments? Is it okay for a once 'fat' person to make 'fat' jokes and for us as an audience to laugh at them? In a conversational, one woman show written by one sister and read/performed by the other, Big Sister leads you to ask yourself these questions. Although a comedy, it's probable that you may shed a tear as these performers expose their unabashed thoughts and feelings of and for each other and leave you with the final question.. do you really know your sibling? Big Sister by Rapid Pitch Productions is playing at the Revue Stage on Granville Island 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Karen Roller Click "read more" for the full video transcript.Banned in the USA is a production by Gerard Harris of That's Enough Drama of Montreal Quebec. Harris is actually very much a Brit who relocated to Canada in about 2012 and Banned in the USA is the true tale of his exploits in Canada with a bit of early biographical information. I was looking forward to this show based on the reviews and flyer info although I wasn't sure what to expect. One reviewer from another Fringe Festival panned it and others thought it hilarious. All agreed his delivery is frenetic and he should not be allowed near any caffeinated products. I was actually disappointed. Harris is more of a sit down comic than an actor. The venue was minimalist providing only about 25 or 40 seats and a tiny stage. Harris sat in the small chair in the centre for most of his performance. There were no lighting or costumes. Just Harris and black curtains marking a tiny proscenium-like area for his performance. It seemed that he hadn't done this show for some time and he did occasionally stumble over lines. Based on reviews from other performances he ad libs so the story can vary somewhat from show to show. At about the 45 minute mark he ask the audience what the time was so he could judge how to wrap up the story - which was long and winding. There was a segue from the main thread that took us to an Irish Murder Mystery wherein he played a part, That segment didn't seem to bear any relation to the main story line as he dropped in that bit without tying it back. A number of audience members left before the end. Harris is entertaining and some people seemed to enjoy the show but I left feeling unmoved. I can't really recommend it . I wish I could. Banned in the USA by That's Enough Drama is playing at Arts Umbrella 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Evelyn McKelvie Click "read more" for the full video transcript.The Cockwhisperer - A Love Story is the story of "one woman's quest to find the love and the penis of her dreams". Collette Kendal is a Canadian Stand-up comic and author/performer of several solo productions. She is a natural story-teller and talented performer. She had the audience in the palm of her hand from the opening lines to the close of the show last night. The Cockwhisperer is not for the faint of language as Collette does not hold back in her description of the coming of sexual age of a young teenage girl and her subsequent life as a woman capable of looking after her own physical desires. The show is just 90 minutes and moves along without any lapses in energy. There is no costuming and lighting, sound and props are minimal. It is Collette on stage alone for the whole show. The audience seemed to love the show . I enjoyed it too. The Cockwhisperer - A Love Story is playing at the False Creek Gym 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Evelyn McKelvie Click "read more" for the full video transcript.Overall, The ADHD Project was highlighted by Carlyn Rhamey’s wonderful storytelling and ability to be present with the audience. She shared reactions with audience members, and addressed unexpected moments/technical difficulties with grace and humour. Rhamey reminds us that ADHD is not only a medical diagnosis or disability, but that it is personal - a world in and of itself. The areas which could have been improved upon or better addressed - an acknowledgement of the privilege that comes with having access to resources such as special education, personalized attention, parental support, and even a diagnosis in the first place, as well as an acknowledgement that there can be a variety of experiences of ADHD. Although there are common symptoms and signs, there are also many different ways that ADHD can present itself in children and adults, men and women, and people from different backgrounds. All in all, a wonderful show and an important topic addressed by a neuro-diverse team of talented and endearing artists. The ADHD Project by Squirrel Suit Productions is at the False Creek Gym on Granville Island, 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Madisen Steele Click "read more" for the full video transcription. |
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