Big Queer Filipino Karaoke Night! produced by Tender Container with Associate Producers Newworld Theatre and New(to)Town Collective is a queer, 19+ show that encourages singing, laughter and drinking! Located at the XY, this cozy space invites audience members to feel like they are at an open stage Karaoke/stand up night where they become part of the show. Davey Calderon, the writer and performer of this one-person show artfully uses the entire bar space throughout his performance, mingling with audience members as he tells his story about his trip to the Philippines intermixed with Karaoke songs sung by both himself and volunteers from the audience. And while his interaction with the audience made it feel very personal, it did lead to some stage blocking problems, as he does have his back to the audience at certain portions of the show. Also, the lighting cues were a bit behind at times, but that should be improved as the show continues its run. Other than that it was a fun, energetic show. All in all, Calderon strikes the right balance between funny, sweet, and authentic when telling his stories that make for an enjoyable performance and a safe space to display your vocal talents! Big Queer Filipino Karaoke Night! produced by Tender Container with Associate Producers Newworld Theatre and New(to)Town Collective is playing at XY 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Jenna Masuhara Click "read more" for the full video transcript.
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Unhinged was a crazed comedic rant, with the idea that the rant comes from a lunatic jester. I could see the intent but I did not understand the storyline that Luke Purm was attempting to weave. The jester is angry and with every reason. He plays with words as he hops from one topic to another bringing his audience along with him. Although angry, our lunatic jester is quite engaged with his audience and you never feel left out. My favourite part was the math on dinosaurs and our oil supply. I am sure he added that up right. If you are angry with the world as it is today and would like a dark and purposefully absurd telling of how a lunatic jester might explain our failings, then this show will get you all worked up. Unhinged by Knight & Daïs Entertainment is playing at the Cultch Historic Theatre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Melody Owen 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.Josh Languedoc of Indigenized Indeginous Theatre from St. Albert, Alberta is the creator of this marvellous play. It is about his relationship with his grandfather and is told from the perspective of a young boy reading his story to the rest of his class for a school project. The setting is minimal - a chair in the centre of a stage, a folder of torn and ragged pages on the floor, pages over to front stage right. The actor vividly portrays the young sick boy in a hospital bed from the chair and his recovered self reading from the folder, telling his fellow students about how his story came to him while he was ill. The actor (and writer) moves from one character to another beautifully and seamlessly, holding our attention through the winding tale as it moves through time and space. Eventually he plays multiple characters in the story - the grandfather, raven, young warrior, King, wolf and many others that fill the stories told by his Grandfather. In each case Languedoc subtly inhabits each, giving physical clues so that we never lose track of the story as each character tells his part. I thoroughly enjoyed the play and the performance. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy it. It's a great tale for children as well as adults. Rocko and Nakota - Tales From The Land by Indigenized Indeginous Theatre is playing at the 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.Synopsis: The completely improvised church service for a religion made up on the spot! A joyous new comedy from Travis Bernhardt, creator of the award winning Charlatan!, Unpossible!, and Chris & Travis. Come sing, laugh, and pray together! Join Vancouver's own Travis Bernhardt on an exploration of the religion you've always wanted to be be a part of. This show is great fun. I definitely recommend seeing it if you want to see a show that will have you laughing and singing along. If you are a fan of improv, you will appreciate Bernhardt's incredibly quick wit and ability to run with an idea extensively. He definitely has the gift of the gab. I was hoping for more of a developed 'preacher' character that was clearly distinguishable from Bernhardt himself. There were moments that truly resembled a church service but then it seemed to drop off from being an actual sermon to him just riffing on the chosen subject matter philosophically. This show may not be for kids as it has some language, but if you are a fan of improv and want to have a good laugh during your fringe-ing, then come and see this show. Whether you are religious or not, it is immense fun. Unscriptured by Travis Bernhardt is playing at Carousel Theatre 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Ferne Brown 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.Weirdo is pretty much what the name is and so much more, it is magic, a weird magician and a weird time. Robbie T. wins you over with his weirdness and quirks, and overall funny story of his magic skills, growing up and social situations. The fanfare of glitter and quick pause to make sure you got the joke or trick is a great add to keep your audience laughing and wanting more. Robbie T. interacts with audience members, getting them to get out of their seats and embrace their weirdness, while also messing the audience feel safer with his weirdness, letting you know that if your up on stage with him, nothing can go wrong and if it does, comedy! Weirdo by Robbie T Subiaco is playing at Performance Works 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Michelle Williams Click "read more" for the full video transcript.The F Words is a one-woman show by written and performed Yvette Dudley-Neuman, and directed by Maureen Robinson. This show contains some sexual content. The F Words examines themes of aging and obesity and a sense of worthlessness, from a female perspective, in modern times. It is an auto-biographical piece that traces Dudley-Neuman’s experiences of shame, from her tween years into her 40s. These experiences take up most of the show, but in the final act, we also see her overcome some of her fears and challenges to embrace new adventures and self-concepts. Dudley-Neuman must be applauded for what is probably the most creative set piece I have ever seen at any Fringe show, the goddess curtains, and they are inspiringly used. I only wished that they had been more front and centre. Surprisingly, there are a few musical numbers in this show. Dudley-Neuman has a wonderful voice, and the songs are the strongest aspects of the piece, showcasing not only her vocal talent, but also the wit and cleverness of the writing. Unfortunately, despite some great writing and wonderful moments, this show suffers from significant structural issues. It is far too long at 75 minutes, with too many unnecessary characters, anecdotes, and time jumps. I was often confused about where and when we were, and which character was speaking. Although I loved the goddess parts, the grandmother who introduces them could have been cut altogether, until her amazing and hilarious sex lesson in the final act. The F Words has the makings of a great show, and speaks to a group that is grossly under-represented in theatre and media. I anticipate that many women over 40 would feel like they have a voice and a sister in Yvette Dudley-Neuman. The F Words is playing at Performance Works 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Vanessa Marshall Click "read more" for the full video transcript.F**k Tinder is a one-man monologue-type show by David Rodwin, playing at Performance Works as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. It contains a lot of sexual content, as you may expect from the title. So be warned about that. This show has the feel of a friend telling you nearly unbelievable stories over a beer. The venue contributes to this feeling of just hanging around and having some laughs, sharing some heartfelt moments, and being a part of some interesting insights about the human condition. Rodwin is a charismatic and personable storyteller and it’s really enjoyable to be a part of his world. There are plenty of laughs here and it’s a thrilling ride. However, there is too much to this show for the time allotted, and really, too much for one show. The performance I went to was over the already 75 minute show time, by 7 minutes. Some of this show is a hilarious, zany montage of sex-capades in San Fransisco, some of it is a heartfelt search for love. Those stories could be separated into two separate shows, or distilled down into one tighter performance, but there is too much here, and as a result, it sags in the middle as the story loses its purpose…..but, it finds it again….in the epilogue. Therefore, I really recommend everyone stays for the epilogue, because that’s where the point of this story really comes into fruition. Overall, it’s a fun ride, and Rodwin is a performer and writer to watch in future. F**k Tinder by David Rodwin is at Performance Works on Granville Island 6 - 16 September as part of the 2018 Vancouver Fringe Festival. ~ reviewed by Vanessa Marshall Click "read more" for the full video transcription.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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