2009

Shortened: Big Rewards but Mixed Results

Victoria: Don’t let the title mislead you: Shortened, courtesy of writer Cayman Duncan and the Saucy Fops is a portfolio of shorts willing to take its time with its scenes. There’s fuller characters and longer set-ups than sketch shows this reviewer remembers from Fringes past. The results are quite funny and even have some dramatic rewards as well.

Shortened

September 1st, 2009 · By Christopher Felling

The Honeymoon Period is Officially Over: another feather in the tail

Victoria: You may have seen Gemma Wilcox downtown, a poster for her show raised up out of her back like a samurai flag, drumming up an audience for The Honeymoon Period is Officially Over. It’s almost surprising that she has to work so hard to fill seats- and they were nearly all filled- given the substantial buzz already surrounding the show, to say nothing of just how amazing the performance itself is.

It's over baby.

September 1st, 2009 · By Christopher Felling

The Seven Lives of Louis Riel: Historical Laughs

Victoria: All I remember from grade-school history class was that Louis Riel was the champion of the Metis and died fighting for them. If that sounds familiar, this show isn’t going to fully enlighten you. You’re not going to get an A on an exam, but this will be the one time that a history lesson makes you laugh your ass off for a full hour.

Ryan Gladstone has something under his nose.

September 1st, 2009 · By James Roxby

Pretty Little Instincts: Naturally Elegant

Victoria: If you’re looking for an elegant night out at this year’s Fringe, here it is. The Point Ellice Heritage House tea garden sets the stage, complete with wicker seating, blankets, tea cozy hats and tea and cookies. If you can brave the biting cold and the 30-minute walk (or five-minute drive) from the central downtown Fringe area, go.

Pretty Little Instincts

September 1st, 2009 · By James Roxby

WordWear

Company:

Theatre Terrific

Duration:

55 minutes

Venue:

Vancouver Japanese United Church

Photograph:

The language of clothes. Why we wear...What we wear....When we wear it! A parade of characters stroll and strut their fashion. Mayhem and love spice the runway with all the complexity of intentions behind the clothes we wear. Dramaturgy by Joanna Garfinkel

"Man's earthly interests are all hooked and buttoned together and held up by clothes." Thomas Carlyle

Showtimes
Sep 10 - 8:00 PM
Sep 11 - 8:00 PM
Sep 12 - 8:00 PM
Sep 16 - 8:00 PM
Sep 17 - 8:00 PM
Sep 18 - 8:00 PM
Sep 19 - 2:00 PM
Sep 19 - 8:00 PM

Location:

Year:

Virtual Solitaire

Company:

Theatre X

Duration:

75 minutes

Venue:

Studio 16

Photograph:

Two scientists with conflicting morals struggle to pull a virtual reality junkie caught inside VR back to real life in this one man virtuosic tour de force exploring themes of technology and isolation. In 2000, Nichols, the playwright, toured Virtual Solitaire to 5-Star reviews across Canada. Now, Darren Boquist takes the reigns with his own electrifying performance of 30 distinct characters.

Showtimes
Sep 10 - 5:00 PM
Sep 12 - 7:45 PM
Sep 15 - 5:15 PM
Sep 17 - 9:40 PM
Sep 18 - 6:45 PM
Sep 20 - 1:00 PM

Read the PLANK Review for the Vancouver production.

Location:

Year:

Under the Mango Tree

Company:

Veenesh Dubois

Duration:

70 minutes

Venue:

Studio 16

Photograph:

Going to a new country for most young men is a magical journey full of hope, promise, and opportunity. But what about the children left behind?

This semi-autobiographical tale about the young girl Timal, her village, and the messages from overseas that she receives from her distant father, is an enchanting story of love, loss, and immigration.

Showtimes
Sep 11 - 8:15 PM
Sep 12 - 9:45 PM
Sep 13 - 3:15 PM
Sep 15 - 9:45 PM
Sep 17 - 7:45 PM
Sep 19 - 4:30 PM

Read the PLANK Review.

Location:

Year:

Uncalled for Presents: Today is All Your Birthdays

Company:

Uncalled For

Duration:

60 minutes

Venue:

Performance Works

Photograph:

From Uncalled For, creators of THUNDERSPANK! and Blastback Babyzap, comes all new spicy-sweet stream-of-consciousness sketch comedy.

"**** The time/space continuum better watch its ass" - Hour

"***** A highly-polished, side-splitting comedic gem" -EYE Weekly

"Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes." - www.indyish.com

WINNERS - Just For Laughs Best Comedy Award (Montreal Fringe 2008)
WINNERS - Second City Best of the Fest Award (Toronto Sketch Fest 2008)

Showtimes
Sep 10 - 8:45 PM
Sep 12 - 1:00 PM
Sep 13 - 10:50 PM
Sep 17 - 6:50 PM
Sep 19 - 6:10 PM
Sep 20 - 2:00 PM

Read the PLANK Review of the Vancouver production.

Location:

Year:

Twice the Same River

Company:

Vanity Projects

Duration:

65 minutes

Venue:

Pacific Theatre

Photograph:

Vanity Projects attempts to stage the unstagable. Four adulterers and a coroner travel to the underworld to find the true meaning of death, community and identity. They lose their bodies and souls, only to find each other's.

Showtimes
Sep 10 - 6:30 PM
Sep 11 - 10:30 PM
Sep 12 - 10:30 PM
Sep 14 - 6:30 PM
Sep 16 - 5:00 PM
Sep 18 - 11:30 PM
Sep 19 - 6:00 PM

Read the PLANK Review.

Location:

Year: