Fringe Full of Stars - Three more shows! That makes Eight so far! Woot!

After yesterday's cold, wet weather I wore a sweater and a different pair of running shoes to get through the day. The sweater was a good choice for the first half of the afternoon but then the sun came out. I am hoping for more sunshine for the next few days of Fringe because that's a little more enjoyable! I kept my three shoes firmly on the main fringe grounds so that I wasn't travelling too far afield (that's tomorrow).

A Little Something for the Ducks

This was actually two short double-handers, Something's Wrong and A Little Something for the Ducks featuring Francie Goodwin-Davies and Andy Northrup. The two pieces demonstrated the versatility of the two actors as they played very different characters in each of the plays. I was very impressed by the subtle disintegration of Goodwin-Davies character in the first piece, as the something wrong becomes something different than what you later realize. They wisely end with the more humorous and hopeful A Little Something for the Ducks. The two actors work well with each other and there's a lovely evolution of their relationship over the 25 minutes. It was a very nice start to the afternoon!

Inherently Disordered

The next show was a bit stand-up and a lot of personal story-telling as Aldrick (we learn where his name comes from - it's a funny story) Dugarte relates key moments of his life being raised Catholic and coming out as queer and then as gay. It will make sense when you see it. Dugarte is very personable and likeable onstage and he has a great sense of humour about himself and what he has gone through. They say the best stand-ups come from challenging life circumstances, and certainly Dugarte's stories are built upon those challenges. He kept us with him for the entire show and wasn't afraid to get physical in amusing ways, or involve us in the narrative, and it felt very natural. He has opinions, and a point of view that he is not afraid of sharing and you like him even more for that. The show is new and I think as he continues through this Fringe it will get a bit more flow, but I had a good time and I think you will too!

Flora & Fawna Face Their Fears

What a lovely continuation of the story of these two little girls. I will likely never miss an episode in their journey - it's my kind of drag show. I think because it's not really a drag show. These are real plays with clever dialogue and well constructed characters and, yes, there's some double entendres, and yes, these are men playing little girls, but the stories are told with a real respect for the girls they portray. Anyhow, I could easily gush about Flora and Fawna (Trevor Schmidt & Jake Tkaczyk) for paragraphs. This is a fabulous continuation where the girls face their fears by having a camp-out in the backyard. The dynamic of the Naturelle Girls is a little upset because they have brought a new girl in to be Secretary (to replace Fleurette who had to move) and Fern Gummy (Jason Hardwick) is a real disruption. She's American and has some different values. It's a bit crunchy there as the three learn to adjust to a new dynamic, and Flora and Fawna teach Fern about being kinder and not a mean girl (no mean girls allowed!). As always, the show is funny and laughs abound, but also touching with some legitimate "awwwws" from the audience. And we got to sing my favourite song, Face Your Fears. A very happy ending to my afternoon!

Candy and the Beast at NLT … Bringing a Halloween Vibe to Your April!

Photo by Brianne Jang, BB Collective Photography

I took in Opening Night of Candy and the Beast at Northern Light Theatre this past Friday. Written, directed and designed by Trevor Schmidt, and starring Jayce McKenzie and Jake Tkaczyk, it evokes the feeling of 80's classics like Heathers and Beetlejuice (perhaps I was a bit reminded of 80's Winona Ryder). In a sharp turn from her recent performance across the street in Robot Girls, McKenzie as Candy is angsty, angry, and emo. The small community of Black Falls that Candy and her younger, but physically bigger, brother Kenny aka the Beast (Tkaczyk) live in has been struck by a serial killer, whose victims are young, blonde, and lower class. Candy is two for three, and unless the killer changes his target, she’s safe. Through Candy's observations, the show comments on those who are easily discarded versus those who raise alarms when they go missing. 

The aesthetics of the show are cool. Ghoulish masks on sticks populate the community, which features the blond victims, a pack of wild dogs, and various community members, who are all voiced by McKenzie and Tkaczyk. Lighting is  dark, with ribbons of visibility, often top-lit harshly so that you can’t quite see everything - adding to the mystery of "what’s exactly going on?!" Interspersed in the storytelling, are cool songs sung by Tkaczyk as Kenny, which evoke on 80s electronica sound. It’s edgy and dark and creepy and Tkaczyk does a great job selling those songs, as well as embodying the many characters he plays. 

 Photo by Brianne Jang,BB Collective.

The interplay between the siblings is terrific and it propels the story. Because Kenny is much younger and innocent (or is he?) than he appears, and the diminutive Candy is in some ways so much larger a personality, it’s a fun ride that leaves you wondering who the killer is and who will be killed next. And of course, will Candy be on the list? And will we actually find out who the killer is? I’ll leave that with you as I don’t want any spoilers. 

You don’t often see a show like this in April as it’s more of a Fall genre, But if you like things, a little dark and edgy and creepy, this is the perfect show for you. If you're into true crime podcasts and horror movies with edge and humour, you will love this! Who says you can’t have a little Halloween in Springtime?  

Candy and the Beast runs to April 20th at Fringe Theatre Adventures. Tickets are $38.85 and can be purchased here. There are also 2for1 nights and PWYC Nights available.