Geeky Cat Miusings

I saw an amazing twelve shows at the Fringe this year. Here are my Fringe notes:

Every Girl Wants A Skirt Like Frida’s - A good story about taking possession of one’s own life. Show’s words of advice: Be yourself and never grow a uni-brow, even if it is fashionable.

Wild About Harry - a very good show — lots of good music interpreted and danced by some interesting characters. I thought it was cool that I sat beside the two of the actors from this show when I saw Gameshow in another theatre. I’m sorry I didn’t compliment them on their great show when I had the chance. Show’s words of advice: Jeepers Creepers, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby.

Freedom 85 - I loved it. I was fascinated about how two actors could play so many different characters in a play and the way an actress transformed her posture and voice as she seamlessly played both the mother and the son. Show’s words of advice: Freedom is awesome, especially when you don’t commute or have babies.

Gameshow - The Musical — Is my favourite show at the Fringe this year. Everyone is bored silly in a town in northern Ontario. When a gameshow comes to town, there is a lot of scheming to win the game since everyone wants to get a girl and get out of town. It has been selected to play at the Diesel Playhouse http://www.dieselplayhouse.com/
Show’s words of advice: Be very suspicious of gameshow hosts - even if they seem nice and benevolent when they advocate spaying and neutering your pets.

Follow Your Bliss - Funny show about bridesmaids sabotaging their friend’s wedding because they are in love with the bride and groom. Show’s words of advice: pick your bridesmaids very, very carefully.

A Girl Called Ralph - good but you might be hit by flying bread. Audience may reconsider eating at their parent’s house after viewing. Many Italian children were told they were having chicken for dinner, but later found out it was a really cuddly rabbit or a fluffy tailed squirrel and ended up doubting everything their parents ever told them. Show’s words of advice: Don’t trust parents, teachers, doctors, cashiers, brothers, or people with a uni-brow.

Babes in Danger - Kind of boring. Only a few interesting points but at least they allow you to bring drinks into the venue! The show included a very weird movie about using babies to save the sharks. Show’s words of advice: Babies are dangerous. Lock them up!

You Mean Now? - Is very interesting. It examines our obsession with time and the impact one moment has on our awareness. I loved the juxtaposition of a fly’s life against a human’s life. If you had a 24 hour lifespan, what would you do with your precious time? Show’s words of advice: Watch out for hazards or you won’t get to enjoy your brief time on earth.

The Barbecue King - Funny!!!! “In this thrilla-by-the-grilla a stressed out cottager battles his nemesis in a winner-take-all cooking competition.” I loved the teenager’s coming out song — she told her parents that she always knew that she was different from the rest….cause she is vegetarian. Show’s words of advice: Memorize and then eat your secret recipe — because there are spies everywhere.

Lupe Undone - This was at the Honest Ed’s Loading Dock. It is very good though a bit smelly from the nearby garbage. Warning — it includes audience participation. Lupe pulled a guy from the audience to dance with her on her bed. She invited three girls to drink pina coladas with her and partake in girl talk as part of the show. She was playing the part of David Mirvish’s mistress, so the area was kind of appropriate. Show’s words of advice: Always have food and drinks handy. Even if you can’t get the man, there is always someone else to wine and dine.

Between Commutes — It took the drudgery of getting to work, doing office work, shuffling papers, and getting a papercut and turned it all to high Shakespearean drama. Very funny. Show’s words of advice: Quit work and never commute again.

Mr. Fox — A one man show about being a mascot for a radio station. Show’s words of advice: Forget a career. Go live in the woods.