Finster Finds

Due to popular demand, SatCo and Uniform Theatre will have an additional performance of XANADU on FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 at 11:00 PM! Please note that you CANNOT purchase tickets for this performance through Fringe, they will only be for sale at the door!! To reserve your ticket, please email uniformtc@gmail.com.

Josephine Venue 1: ATB Westbury Theatre Something drew me to this show right from the start and I am so glad because it turned out to be a real highlight of my Fringe experience this year! I knew a little about Josephine Baker before seeing the show, but I soon realized that I didn't know very much. Her life was incredible and this one-woman show performed by the engaging and charismatic Tymesha Harris leaves you wanting more! It's hard to pack so much into 75 minutes! I left wanting to find out more - searching my wikipedia for details and looking up images online... now I'm looking for a good biography. Now that's the sign of a good show! If this makes it to hold-overs, do try and catch it, because it's Sold Out for the rest of it's performances. Click here for tickets. Tragedy: A Tragedy Venue 3: Walterdale Theatre Blarney Productions does it again with this quirky, odd piece by Will Eno. A brve news team tries to capture the unfolding event in...

Some of these are repeats, but some are new... check out which shows random people in line-ups have recommended this Fringe: Interstellar Elder: Badass Grandma in Space Kitt & Jane: An Interactive Survival Guide to the Near-Post-Apocalyptic Future Hubris Hotel Vortruba* James & Jamesy in the Dark Scorch* Josephine* Thunderfoot Fetch The Real Inspector Hound* Red Bastard Click here for tickets. Enjoy the rest of the Fringe - plenty to see! All shows are worth a gamble!

Monday was a great 4 show day! It's amazing to me that I can see 4 shows and it's still light out when I drive home! it was also a nice mix of shows, so I felt like I got a great grab-bag of theatre! The Great Gromboolian Plain Venue 4 - The Academy at King Edward This was a very nice piece of theatre about the nature of time travel and sisters and what is real and whether someone is crazy or not. It's well acted and staged, however I wished there was something more in the resolution as it left me with many questions. I did like how we discover that sometimes people do things that may seem hurtful and controlling but they are actually doing those things to protect others. Click here for tickets. Punch Up! Venue 9 - Telus Phone Museum A terrifically funny show. I think I laughed from start to finish. The script (by Kat Sandlers - who is the playwright on-board to write an upcoming duo of plays, The Candidate and The Party , at the Citadel next season) is ...

Although I only saw 2 shows myself, I had some great conversations with people in line-ups today because both shows were Sold Out. I think I managed to talk to a wider variety of people with even more varied interests! How I Learned to Hug Fire at the Meth Lab Stranded on a Island in Nova Scotia The Importance of Being Earnest God is a Scottish Drag Queen* Dueling Divas The Real Inspector Hound* Sirens Heroine Hotel Vortruba* Jake's Gift* The Irrelevant Show The Soldier's Tale Josephine Click here for tickets to all Fringe Shows! I hope you have room in your schedule to fit in one or two of these!

Some new shows today - I confess, I was tired and got into a few conversations about current trends in art and didn't have as many show conversations, but I did get some new and repeat Word of Mouth Recommendations!  Warning: Many of these shows are selling out, so it is wise to act fast for tickets! (Star indicates multiple recommendations) The Wind and the Rain Merk du Soleil Everything's Coming Up Chickens* Eddie Poe* For Science!* Scorch She Was a Great Dad Josephine* The Real Inspector Hound* Buyer & Cellar Irrelevant Show A Briefs History of Time Business as Usual Jake's Gift* Caws and Effect Happy Fringing!

Macbeth Muet lafilledulaitier.com Venue 9: Telus Phone Museum This show was so good. So. Good. It's better, I think, if you know Macbeth, but really even if you just know the high point of the story this show will blow you away. It's funny and inventive and so incredibly clever. I think it's the perfect way to do Shakespeare, particularly the bloodier plays. I cannot get over the cleverness of their choices. The music made it so accessible and from eggs, to paper towels, to paper plates and lots and lots of fake blood, you will be mesmerized and laughing. I recommend this to everyone! Wellspring Venue 13 - Old Strathcona Library A trio of intertwining monologues from three women who live in a community affected by fracking. While it doesn't add anything new to the issue, this show serves to humanize people caught up in dynamics of health and quality of life vs. energy and economics. I did long for more action and conflict within the story, and it takes a li...

I returned to the Fringe grounds today and chatted with quite a few different people about what they would recommend ( artists are not allowed to recommend their own shows - although they try... ). I was pleased to hear so many different suggestions, as it tells me that there are a lot of good things to see at this year's Fringe. Here's the Word Of Mouth recommendations from Sunday, August 19, 2018, in no particular order. ( stars indicate that the show was mentioned by more than one person ): Interstellar Elder: Badass Grandma in Space Unscriptured Stories About Love, Death & a Rabbit * WASP TEDxRFT: Improvised Ted Talks MacBeth Muet* Jesus Christ: The Lost Years A Briefs History of  Time Daddy's Boy Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, But Banjos Saved My Life The Progressive Polygamists The Wilds* The Real Inspector Hound 2 Queens and a Joker One Man Pride and Prejudice* An All New God is a Scottish Drag Queen The Alien Baby Play One Man Walking Dead Hotel...

Let's Talk About Your Death Allspice Theatre Venue 11 - Nordic Studio Theatre A show that's both silly and serious, Let's Talk About Your Death , is set in a world where a machine exists that can tell you how you will die. Capitalizing on that is a Dr. Phil-like TV personality who interviews those from the audience who have just found out 'how they will die'. Complete with thematic advertisements and spontaneous moments that neither the actor nor the audience know where they will go, this show turned out to be both hilarious and touching. Knowing about your death turns out to be much more about how you choose to live. Don't Frown at the Gown (by Darrin Hagen and Trevor Schmidt) Guys in Disguise Venue 12 - Varscona Theatre Another terrific play from the Guys in Disguise, this time tackling the shifting values of the 1960s with regards to the feminist movement as young bride-to-be Susan (Trevor Schmidt) goes to the bridal shop with her domineering moth...

Every Fringe I chat with the people I see in line or the beer tent and find out what shows they would recommend based on what they have seen so far. It's early, but I got a few recommendations today: Stories About Love, Death and a Rabbit Don't Frown at the Gown Everything's Coming Up Chickens Tease For Science! I'm taking tomorrow off to celebrate my anniversary, so I will be back getting word of mouth recommendations on Sunday!

Fetch   (by Cat Walsh) Interloper Theatre Venue 28 - The Playhouse My first show of the 37th Fringe was a good choice. A fascinating tale of two Hannah Morgans that plays with possibility and probability. The Hannahs (Lora Brovold and Cat Walsh) narrate their eerily similar yet significantly different lives to relate a story that leaves you wondering what really happened. Guided by an interpretation of the Schrodinger's Cat Theory and a mysterious stuffed dog called Mr. Anderson, you will be drawn into the parallel and diverging stories. It's great story-telling that is unpredictable and engaging. The writing is excellent and the performances compelling.  Buyer and Cellar Next Stage Productions Venue 10 - Have Mercy Acacia Hall I was fortunate to be invited to a Preview of this one-man show about the mall in Barbra Streisand's basement. Gregory Caswell plays the fictional lone employee of the mall which is used to display the many things that Barbra h...

I've been spending a lot of time on the Fringe website, researching and reading about the different shows. It will be terrific to buy my program today, but the website has given me a lot to think about, in particular, that there are some shows that seem like they might 'go together' either in contrasting or in comparative ways... Here are some suggestions for some elegant pairings: Why not pair  50 First Dates  with  F*ck Tinder: A Love Story ? Both are journeys through the world of dating to find love but told from different perspectives. As one who escaped the advent of online dating apps, I think both would likely give me insight into a world that somewhat terrifies me. For those who are  little younger than me, I am pretty sure that both these shows would  resonate for you and no doubt you would have similar stories to share. If you like Sketch Comedy, why not pair Marv n' Berry Presents: Everyone Panic, Please with Blackout Presents: Show me the Goo...

Director Amy Defelice completed the Fringe Preview email interview about her 2018 Edmonton Fringe offering, Caryl Churchill's Escaped Alone . Featuring some of Edmonton's finest actresses, it's sure to please... Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less. A comedy-drama about longtime female friends, confessions and catastrophes. Now the longer description... what else should people know about it?  This production is the Canadian premiere of a 2016 Caryl Churchill play, after productions in London and New York.  Churchill is considered of the best playwrights in the world, a dynamic innovator.  She wrote Top Girls and Cloud 9.   Time Out Magazine wrote of Escaped Alone  that it is “It’s hard to imagine you’ll come across a more brilliant play this year.” There is a stellar cast for the Edmonton production Vivien Bosley, Judy McFerran, Holly Turner and Alison Wells. It is a surprisingly funny play. What makes Escaped Alone a great choice for the Frin...

Devin Mackenzie from Vancouver's Hip.Bang! answered my Fringe Preview Questionnaire about their Edmonton Fringe production Surveil .  Check out more about this show that's sure to make everyone laugh! Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less.  A comedy show about being watched. Now the longer description... what else should people know about it? Award-winning comedy duo Hip.Bang! (Just For Laughs, Comedy Central, The Irrelevant Show) returns with a new immersive comedy about modern surveillance and invasion of privacy. Please arrive early to sign the mandatory waiver and to prepare your belly for some deep, satisfying laughs. ***** -National Post/Edmonton Journal What makes Surveil a great choice for the Fringe? This show has it all. A comedy from two trusted veterans, a subject matter that affects us all, and some theatrical techniques that we believe have never been done before.  Okay, you're in rehearsal with an amazing group of people...    ...

Olivia Latta, Co-creator and Director of  Adopted , took some time to answer my Fringe Preview Questionnaire about the show!  Enjoy! Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less. Like a rural Albertan "This Is Us", with more ketchup.  Now the longer description... what else should people know about it? Adopted is a one-man storytelling show about the realities of being adopted. What makes a family? Is blood really thicker than water? And who are my parents anyways? Equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching, Adopted explores serious themes about childhood and family, and a love of ketchup.   What makes Adopted a great choice for the Fringe?  You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll definitely want to go for hotdogs. Oh, and remember MSN messenger and all the pop-punk bands you used to listen to in Junior High. Well get ready, cause we'll be bringing you back to those awkward days. Also, this will be the perfect show to bring your dad to, trust us. ...

I email chatted with Director and co-creator of Cult Cycle , Bethany Hughes.  Here are her answers to our Fringe Preview Questions! Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less. Hot. Sweaty. Hilarious. 'Spin'cere Spoof.  Now the longer description... what else should people know about it? This production is amazing and has been such a gift to work on, write, and direct. This insanely talented group of spinners, alongside the INCREDIBLE support from Jeff and Jordan Law (SpinUnity) have been awe inspiring to work with. We have had so much fun to building and creating and spinning.  The hidden secret of this show, is that this entire team had to learn how to spin, actually spin and each actor took multiple fitness classes (barre, conditioning, running, endurance etc.) and attended spin classes to prepare. The work on the character, vocals and lines is hard enough, but this show is also very physically demanding.  What makes Cult Cycle a great choice for the Fri...

Fringe for many of us is always a challenge because there are so many thngs to see and since Edmonton is blessed with such a fabulous theatre community, it also becomes a chance to see our favourites... The trouble is I have so many!!! Here are a few: PUNCH UP The Description: The Most Pathetic Guy Ever kidnaps the Funniest Man Alive to make the Saddest Girl in the World laugh. Who are my favourites: Ever since I saw Merran Carr-Wiggin and Evan Hall in Gruesome Playground Injuries a few Fringes ago they moved to my Fringe Favourites list! They have wonderful chemistry together and I can't want to see what this show is all about! Click here for tickets. TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY The Description: A local news team bravely stands in front of an unfolding catastrophe prepared to bring unflinching coverage. But as the night wears on and answers can't be found... they flinch. From the Sterling Award-winning company behind "Never Swim Alone" (*****) and held-over hit...

Director Louise Mallory took the time to answer a few quick questions about her 2018 Fringe Show - Sofie's Wild Ride ! Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less. The older women housemates of Golden Girls are back!  Now the longer description... what else should people know about it?  Sofie's Wild Ride has an original script by local Amanda LeBlanc, a huge fan of the old Golden Girls episodes, and is a delightful exploration of living with people you don't necessarily like but definitely care about.  There are a few male characters (all played by Brian Ault) but there are lots of conversations between women that aren't about a man (passes the Bechdel test). What makes Sophie's Wild Ride a great choice for the Fringe?  It's funny!  It's easy to connect with whether or not you remember the characters of the original TV show.  And we're in an air conditioned venue that serves drinks (Billiard Club, 10505 82 Avenue, upstairs/no elevator) Okay...

This is another great Fringe for musicals and musical revues. Since I have spent roughly 67% of my theatrical career involved in musicals either as actor or director, this is where I tend to focus the bulk of my time... Here's a few that look interesting to me: EVERYTHING'S COMING UP CHICKENS! The Description: The Janes are back with it's first ever musical revue at the Fringe! The Sterling-Award-winning company celebrates all things theatre, ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime-boldly going inside the world of entertainment featuring musical gems of yesterday and today. "Everything's coming up roses and daffodils and...chickens!" ( Gypsy ) Why I want to see it: Well, they quote Gypsy in the description... that right there catches my attention. It's also the Plain Janes who have a proven track record for producing quality musicals for the Fringe. The cast is super solid and I have been enjoying seeing their 'choreography clips' online a...

I like a good laugh, a good musical, but I also like a solid drama. Luckily for me, the Fringe has everything! Here's what caught my eye in a more serious vein... APRICOT STONES The Description: It's 1980 in Kabul. When Adela is attacked by mujahideen on a trip to the market one day, she is rescued by Azad. The two become fast friends, but soon deeper feelings dance them dangerously close to a fine line that has Adela's devout younger brother questioning her family honour. Why I want to see it: I've been working with a playwright on a couple of plays about Iran and to support that work I've been reading a lot about that part of the world. I'm thinking this might be another way to access more about it from a different perspective. Click here for tickets. CALL MR. ROBESON The Description: A rollercoaster journey through African-American actor and singer Paul Robeson's remarkable life, highlighting his pioneering and heroic political activism. Feat...

Award-winning playwright Michele Vance Hehir is bringing another new work to this year's Fringe. Here's her email interview about her new show,  One Polaroid : Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less.  Two unmarried sisters and their nephew celebrate his 20th birthday. Now the longer description... what else should people know about it?  It takes place in a small dying town in Alberta in the spring of 1973. It's a play about family: sisters, mothers and sons. And it's a story of a birthday celebration with punch and cake and questionable 70's music... What makes  One Polaroid  a great choice for the Fringe?  It's a story about something we can all identify with - our families. The love we have for them, but also the way in which family - who have known you your whole life - always knows exactly what buttons to push. It's a dramedy! Okay, you're in rehearsal with an amazing group of people...      Who makes yo...

I did a little email interview with Daniel Greenways who is from Night Canopy Theatre who are producing Ahunwar: The Devil's Long Nap at this year's Fringe. Here's what he had to say about the show: Describe your Fringe show in 10 words or less.  Two Zoroastrian demons fight back against their own destinies! Now the longer description... what else should people know about it?   Ahunwar: The Devil’s Long Nap  is a show that takes something mythological and turns it into something human. It takes a story about time and magic and turns it into a story about memory and the unknown. It takes cosmic conflicts and turns them into personal, existential struggles.  Ahunwar  is set in  a mysterious den of darkness, in which a demoness named Jeh awakens Ahriman from a deep, unnatural slumber. As Ahriman recovers his lost memories, he begins to rediscover his past life, but he is not sure he wants to follow the same path again. Things do not go as planned, ...