Sometimes it's hard to be nice... Lessons Learned with Donna Orbits the Moon and Spinsters in #yegtheatre this week...

I caught two thought-provoking (and funny) shows this weekend. 

Patricia Darbasie in Donna Orbits the Moon,
Brianne Jang BB Collective Photography

The first, Donna Orbits the Moon presented by Northern Light Theatre, was a one-woman show with the impressive Patricia Darbasie as Donna, a woman finding herself reacting with intense rage to inconveniences in her life. We are not exactly sure at the beginning why these moments are provoking such anger and violence, but there's something in the way that Donna tells the story that we are totally on her side. Indeed when I read a description online before seeing the show, I immediately connected. Too often we are expected to smile and be accommodating and the desire to say "No!" is often very strong with me. I see you, Donna! But there's something more to Donna's rage. There's a concrete reason she's suppressing and the reveal is deftly revealed in a touching and emotionally moving way (Directed by Trevor Schmidt). I appreciated the layered humour, and the beautiful lighting (Rae McCallum) and projections (Matt Schuurman) that echoed Donna's fracturing as she moved through her journey and we learned the whole story. It's funny, because Donna does some really bizarre things, but it is also heart-breaking and poignant, when we find out exactly why. I also enjoyed that the play was set in Minnesota, near Duluth, as that's a place close to my heart. 

Donna Orbits the Moon runs to February 3rd. Tickets are $38 but there are PWYC and 2for1 nights. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Christine Lesiak and Tara Travis in The Spinsters, 
Marc J Chalifoux Photography & Video

The next night I went to The Spinsters presented by Small Matters Productions. On it's surface it's the story of Cinderella's step-sisters (they take umbrage at the label ugly stepsisters) played by Christine Lesiak and Tara Travis. The stepsisters are larger than life and very funny and they engage with the audience cleverly with tongue-in-cheek cattiness. The story is relayed through wonderfully creative puppet shows, along with the spinsters own retelling. They have opinions about how they have been portrayed and they aren't impressed with much of it! The costumes and Production design (Adam Dickson & Ian Walker) are ridiculously clever and mind-blowing. There's literally a pocket for everything! And the puppetry is similarly fun (Jeny Cassady). But this show is more than just fun - you will laugh, but there's also a big uh-oh moment to add weight and make you think a lot after the show. 

The Spinsters runs to January 27th. Tickets are $25 plus fees, but there are some special events throughout the run. Tickets can be purchased here.  

With both these shows on my mind, I was thinking a lot about the expectations and perceptions of women in our world. How we have to behave a certain way and pushing back against those expectations gets us labelled or chastised, and even when we do what we've been told to do, we can still end up victims. I thought a lot about the Sarah Polley book of essays I read over the holidays, Run Towards the Danger, and how she reflects on her experience with Jian Ghomeshi and other events in her life that were shaped by her need to please or be considered 'good'. I'm still thinking about both shows and how I want to be in the world, and sometimes I think I might want to be like Donna and have a little rage, or like the Spinsters and not always be so very, very nice. 

PLAY THE FOOL FESTIVAL - A Little Clowning around in Edmonton!

Play the Fool Festival, Edmonton’s Theatre Festival for Clown & Physical Comedy, returns this week on Sept 27th – 30th at The Backstage Theatre and ATB Financial Arts Barns. It's the third year for the theatre festival and there are so many different shows you can check out.

I had a stroll through their website (click here) and here are a few shows that jumped out at me (please check out the age recommendations as most of the shows are aimed at adult audiences):

Shipwrecked - Calgary
Created and Performed By: Chad Bryant and Chris Gamble

Shipwrecked on a desert island, Swill and Lavy find a mysterious treasure map. Will the map lead to their salvation or doom? Calgary-based comedy theatre artists Chad Bryant (Swill) and Chris Gamble (Lavy) team up with Jacqueline Russell from Sizzle & Spark (The Sama Kutra & Hushabye) to bring a new Pochinko-style clown duo to the stage.

The Daily Deal with Lady - Edmonton
Created and Performed By: Lindsay Ruth Hunt

Lady launches her career as a home-shopping network celebrity! Join her live in-studio audience and prepare to be wowed. And to buy her much-sought-after product. Lindsay Ruth Hunt has a background in improvisational theatre and sketch comedy, including being a founding member of both The General Fools and Uberkill.

The Performance - Edmonton
Created and Performed By: Candace Berlinguette and Michael Kennard

A down and out pianist and singer attempt to regain their former glory. Candace Berlinguette is a theatre creator, actor, producer and teacher. Michael Kennard is an award winning theatre creator and one half of the clown duo Mump and Smoot.

Lady Be Good - Edmonton
Created and Performed By: Erin Pettifor and Gabby Bernard

Equality is here! Sit back and relax with your diverse friend group and enjoy Lady Be Good, darkly satirical pageant that celebrates us all. Erin Pettifor and Gabby Bernard are recent graduates from the BFA acting program at the University of Alberta.

These are just a few of the shows on the docket - I recommend a trip to the website (click here) to check out what else is on the docket. There is also a Cabaret Series that you should check out for a great variety of acts.

The Play the Fool Festival is curated by Christine Lesiak, creator and performer of the 2018 Fringe holdover hit For Science!, and it features over 30 physical comedy artists from across Canada and from Edmonton, including: Michael Kennard of Mump & Smoot with Candace Berlinguette in The Performance; Vancouver-based award-winning character artist Candice Roberts’ gender-bending Larry show; Cabaret Calgary Productions’ cheeky, produce-inspired burlesque act, Fruitbowl; and an All-Ages Spectacular with local favorites.

I encourage you all to check out a sneak peek of festival acts at the FREE Opening Night Gala Teaser Cabaret on Thursday, September 27th at 7 p.m., with live music from the Mary Lee Bird Band. Admission for the Opening night gala is first-come-first-served at the door, with front-of-the-line guaranteed seating for Festival Pass Holders arriving by 6:45 pm.

Tickets & Passes
Passes: $100.00 adults, $85.00 seniors & students
Passes include access to all shows + Priority Seating | LIMITED SUPPLY
Tickets: $10-$20.00 general admission | $10-$116.00 senior/student
Passes and tickets available at https://playthefool.ca
Please note, most festival shows are rated 13+ or 18+