Fringe 2024 - Saturday, August 24th - Young Wives and The Bells!

I saw two shows on Saturday. I'm pacing myself this Fringe so I might not hit my usual 30+ total! But despite the slightly overcast weather, it was a nice day - not too hot and my feet could handle the walk to Sugar Swing and back to the main grounds!

What a Young Wife Ought to Know - This was a very well done production of Hannah Moscovitch's script. I had not seen the show when it was done in the city in 2018 but was glad to catch it here at the Fringe. It deals with the challenges and trials of a young (a very young) wife in 1920s Ottawa dealing with managing her fertility despite a lack of support both socially and medically. This is pre-birth control pill times; this is back alley abortion and throw yourself down the stairs to end a pregnancy time; this is the time when women frequently dies in childbirth. This is the time when you are looked at with disgust and judged when you ask for help for how to prevent a pregnancy. Anyhow, the show was very well done. The cast of three were all strong and handled the script well. A special shout-out to Abby MacDougall, who plays the young wife Sophie. She was mesmerizing and I was blown away by her onstage. A talent to watch!

The Bells - A musical about the Brontës - Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell (the brother). I have seen a few shows about the Bronte sisters over the years and though this would be a cool one to check out! It was! The music was really good and this cast can sing. The script is new and has room to grow a little, but the bones are definitely there. The music is outstanding (written by Cassie Hyman and Emi Gusdal - who also play Emily and Charlotte respectively) and modern (they rock out!) and the cast can all sing excellently. There are some fabulous moments that demonstrate terrific harmony. Those Brontës sound really, really good together! Definitely worth checking out!