What are you in the mood for? A comedy? A drama? Something thought-provoking? The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival offers a wide variety of shows that can satisfy your appetite for any genre. All you have to do is pick up your tickets at the box office, and you’re only a short stroll away from your entertainment destination. Here’s our picks so far:
1. Drama: TES
TES is a gritty re-imaging of Thomas Hardy’s literary classic, Tess of the D’Urbervilles. In Steve Larkin’s one-man show, he expertly moves between narration and several characters to tell the tragic story of a teenage boy who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in England. An International Poetry Slam Champion, Larkin also fits in some amazing slam performances that will move you.
Venue 1 – Westbury Theatre, 10330-84 Ave.
2. Improvised Comedy: The 11 O’Clock Number!
The cast of The 11 O’Clock Number! check all the boxes for the makings of a great improv team: they’re bursting with energy, they work well together to smooth over slip-ups, and they’re hilarious! In this improvised show, the cast borrows the life story of an audience member to build their musical around. Be sure to bring a friend with you so you have someone to re-live all the inside jokes with as no two shows will be the same. And if you miss it during the Fringe, the show runs a regular season every Friday at 11 pm at the Varscona Theatre!
Venue 9 – TELUS Building, 10437-83 Ave.
3. Experimental: This Is the Kind of Animal I Am
In this abstract, movement-based piece, Holly Cinnamon introduces and develops a gesture code through the repetition of speech and movement. The piece and her code explore the trauma a young girl experiences while on a hunting trip with her father and its effects on her subsequent years. An earlier draft of Kind of Animal premiered at Nextfest — an arts festival that runs in Edmonton in June — and Cinnamon has improved on the piece since that run. Cinnamon is a master of controlling the audience’s mood with her movements, and each gesture was smooth and effective. The piece successfully troubles our notions of human narratives and blurs the line that separates human behaviour from that of animals.
Note: This piece does contain nudity and deals with sexual abuse, so may not be appropriate for all audiences.
Venue 9 – TELUS Building, 10436-83 Ave.
4. Romantic Comedy: Real Time
After an online video-game victory spurs a cyber romance, a geeky shut-in (Jessie McPhee) and a rebellious ex-convict (Joleen Ballendine) agree to finally meet in the real world. Real Time uses a seemingly bottomless bag of fun tricks to represent scenes in both the virtual and real worlds. This super cute romantic comedy will have you laughing and cheering (particularly after one drunk karaoke scene), as it shows how opposites can still attract, even in real time.
Venue 9 – TELUS Building, 10436-83 Ave.
5. Storytelling: A Story of O’s
In A Story of O’s, Tonya Jone Miller offers up exactly what you’d expect from a Fringe show about a phone-sex operator: tons of shocking, dirty tales about her weirdest clients. But this show really succeeds when Miller mixes in her honest commentary and examines why people seek out her services. With poignant moments, Miller lays bare her own insecurities and suggests that what everyone’s looking for isn’t sex — it’s acceptance.
Venue 2 – Fringe Cabaret Lounge, 10330-84 Ave.
6. Musical: Zanna, Don’t!
The fairytale musical Zanna, Don’t! takes place in a world where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuals are forbidden to serve in the military. Zanna (Mark Sinongco) is a high school matchmaker who easily pairs together his peers. However, he encounters a dilemma when the football team’s quarterback (Adam Sanders) and the captain of the girls’ intramural mechanical bull-riding team (Madelaine Knight) discover feelings for each other. A super talented young company makes this Off-Broadway show a success on the Edmonton Fringe stage with fun musical numbers, strong voices, and a great moral.
Venue 5 – King Edward School, 8530-101 St.
7. Comedy: The Untitled Sam Mullins Project
Sam Mullins is an expert storyteller: he’s personable, funny, and awkwardly charming. For his untitled project, Mullins shares four stories about some of the peculiar life situations that have built his character. Not only will Mullins make you laugh, but he also offers thoughtful insights on relationships with past girlfriends, his father, and on his own struggle with a panic disorder.
Venue 13 – Strathcona Library, 8331-104 St.
8. Variety/Magic: Newman Mentalism Presents: Mind Games
For a different kind of fun at the Fringe, check out Jeff Newman’s mental games and tricks. As Newman shares the story of how his family and interests led him to be a mentalist, he pulls off some impressive stunts and avoids dangers by successfully predicting his participants’ choices. His final trick will leave you in awe and, with no obvious explanation, you may just believe that Newman can read your mind.
Venue 23 – The Billiard Club, 10505-82 Ave.
9. Family: The Middle of Everywhere
The Middle of Everywhere tells the story of two strangers running away from their responsibilities on an adventure that takes them all over time and space. This WONDERHEADS production is a magical experience that’s just like watching live-action Pixar. The actors wear large, cartoonish masks, which they expertly shift and turn to express a spectrum of emotions. Brimming with whimsy, this show will entertain the whole family!
Venue 46 – La Cite Francophone – L’Uni Theatre, 8627 Rue Marie-Anne-Gaboury (91 St.)
10. Physical Comedy/Clown: Inclement Weather
While a lonely traveller (Nick Di Gaetano) waits for his train, he interacts with the audience by cracking jokes through physical comedy and impressions, as his English is poor. Soon, the traveller begins to pick up words and phrases from the audience, often misusing them to humourous effect. This one-man show will keep you chuckling at Di Gaetano’s talent for imitation.
Venue 24b – Strathcona Presbyterian Church – Basement, 8116-105 St.
11. Folk Musical: The Legend of White Woman Creek
In this haunting folk opera, a young woman (Katie Hartman) summons the ghost of Anna Morgan Faber who shares her story through a beautiful song cycle. The Legend of White Woman Creek will give you all kinds of chills: both from the creepy atmosphere the performance evokes and when Hartman emotes with powerful notes. Catch the show during one of the late-night performances for an added chill!
Venue 42 – Planet Ze Design Center, 10055-80 Ave.
To order tickets for these or other shows, visit the Fringe website or call 780-409-1910. The central box office is located in the ATB Financial Arts Barn, 10330-84 Ave.
