Fringe Full of Stars - Sunday, August 17 - What a Terrific 3-Show Day!

Boston Dip

I started the day at the Sugar Swing Venue with Nachopals Theatre's production of Boston Dip (they presented last Fringe's hilarious Dick Piston Hotel Detective in Prague-Nosis). It's a delightfully funny farce set at a Ball where everyone wants to learn the Boston Dip, the newest move in the waltz. The cast of seven (Dave McKay, Christine Gold, Melissa Masse, Lauren Tamke, Lucas Anders, Ethan Handford, & Dalton Terhorst) are great fun to watch with some of them wanting to romance and be romanced, and others wanting to gain a fortune and others simply wanting to learn the dance moves. And of course, there's one person trying to figure out who's who, what's going on, and is his wife cheating on him and if so, who is her suitor!? There's a lot of wonderful physical comedy and mistaken identity and like any good farce, the good have their happy endings and the scoundrels are all found out! 

A Kind of Electra

The next show I saw was a happy accident. I had a gap in my schedule and happened to be dropping by Walterdale Theatre and saw the line-up outside. I asked what show it was and realized that a friend of mine had recommended it after she had seen it earlier in the week, so I grabbed a last minute ticket. What good fortune for me (the gods were smiling!). It was so very good! It's a must-see piece of theatre. The cast of three (Caitlin Stasey, Hayden Ezzy, & Tiffany Elle) tell the story of Electra and Orestes in a refreshing and captivating way. They are all wonderful actors, with incredible characterization and physicality, and you cannot look away. It's funny, intense and has an unexpected twist that raises it up beyond a simple retelling of the Greek myth. There are only four more performances of the show and I encourage you all to pop it in those holes you have left in your Fringe schedule. It will be completely worth it! 

"Speed!" A 1940s Radio Drama

I mentioned in a preview article that I was looking forward to seeing this show and it did not disappoint! It's hard to talk about it without giving away a lot of the funny stuff, but I will do my best! Imagine a 1940s Radio Play of Speed! featuring Keanu Reeves, Orson Welles, and taking place during World War II when anyone can be drafted at any moment! It's all hands on deck to create a huge pantheon of characters and sound effects, BUT things go wrong and that makes it all the more hilarious. This company commits to the bit and embrace the style and characterization required for a 1940s Radio play, all while re-telling the story of Speed! Your sides will ache with all the laughing! Mine did!