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!

Spooky and Scary #yegtheatre Options for Halloween 2018!

If you like to embrace all things scary and spooky this time of year, there are a few options in the #yegtheatre scene that you can check out...

The Bone House by Marty Chan is being presented at the Varscona Hotel. Here's the description: For the past 19 years, a shadowy figure has been drifting about, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Nobody has seen his face, and some believe he is only an urban myth. Self proclaimed mind-hunter, Eugene Crowley disagrees. He is going to find him but he needs your help to expose the Midnight Cowboy before he strikes again. He could be anywhere...or anyone.

It's an immersive piece of theatre that explores the nature of fear and imagination. Starring Lew Wetherell, Jason Hardwick, Nicole Grainger, and Murray Farnell, and directed by Jennifer Krezlewicz. I saw The Bone House a few years ago and I remember being terrified. Although the details in my memory are a bit hazy, I often reference the experience as the most scared I have ever been as an audience member. The immersive elements were what really did it for me. So, with great apprehension, I will be taking in this new incarnation, but bringing my husband along... It's definitely a show for those of you who are fans of horror and psychological thrillers.

The Bone House has a pay-what-you-can matinee today (Saturday, October 27th at 2 p.m.) and you can click here for tickets for other nights. It runs until Wednesday, October 31st.

Dead Centre of Town, in it's 11th incarnation, returns to Fort Edmonton Park, this time in the Blatchford Field Air Hanger. It's also an immersive theatre experience that brings to life creepy stories from Edmonton's past. It's tagline for this year is: Who are we to think we can conquer flight? Produced by Catch the Keys Productions it's Edmonton’s only live-action horror show inspired by true history. Dead Centre of Town runs until October 31, 2018 with shows at 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm (no shows on Mondays) at the Blatchford Field Air Hangar at Fort Edmonton Park.

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets. I believe that several performances have Sold Out, so act fast!

Tonight is also your last chance to catch Blood: A Scientific Romance produced by the Maggie Tree at Fringe Theatre Adventures. Here's the description: Twin sisters Poubelle and Angelique are bonded in both biology and shared tragedy after a car accident leaves them orphaned along a prairie highway in a pool of blood. But the young twins are brought home with Dr. Glass after their remarkable recovery, and quickly find themselves the subject of endless experiments.

Today's the last day to catch it, with a matinee and an evening performance. Click here for tickets.




Hope you all find something spooky and scary to see this weekend to get you ready for Halloween!