This session brought on the feels for me. There were good laughs. Great ones actually. But I didn’t expect to be moved to the degree that I did. It was a pleasant surprise. Not all Fringe shows can be laugh-riots after all. I was pleased with my selection today. I would summarise it as the day of “wit and innovation”. Oh and “sublime beauty”. Just yum.
God Is A Scottish Drag Queen II
Mike Delamont plays God in this many-time Fringe favourite. The first part of the show made waves at the festival years ago, and so Delamont has returned with yet another instalment this year. If it is comedy that you were looking for well look no further. The show is 60 minutes of LOLness. Even when Delamont strays off topic he manages to be just as funny. His comedic prowess is incredible. You really understand why his shows get sold out so fast when you see him in action. “God Is A Scottish Drag Queen II” is stand-up comedy with visual aids. All the touchy areas associated with religion are where Delamont takes great pleasure in going. “God Is A Scottish Drag Queen II” is a big show at the Fringe and cannot be missed. Unfortunately yesterday was the show’s last night at the Festival but a third part will be shown during the Pick of The Fringe Week, so all is not lost! Offending the conservative majority never felt this good.
Quack Quack Penis
We decided to leave the comfort and festivities of Granville Island and hike up to Studio 16 for “Quack Quack Penis”. And boy was it totally worth it! Lara and Laura are two talented actresses who have written a clever and hilarious play. The show is less Fringe show and more traditional play. We witnessed the strained friendship between two best friends who come from antagonistic levels of privilege. There is little information about the show online. I could not even find a picture and I have now forgotten the names of the characters too. The two actresses are very good. The script is flawless and well-paced. The subtleties in the issues addressed are elegant and allow the audience to get the deep sociological messages without being weighed down. All the pop culture jokes are current and land well. These women have done a fantastic job. They even gave out notorious, themed candy at the end of the show. What’s not to love? “Quack Quack Penis” is a wonderful achievement for Vancouver women in theatre. Besides being uproariously funny, of course.
The Middle of Everywhere
Nine-time winners at the Fringe are behind this whimsical creation. Now how is that for high expectations?! If you have seen “Grim & Fischer” or LOON, you would know what I am talking about. I had seen neither before going into this showing. I knew there would be masks but I had no idea how much could actually be done with masks. The physical acting done by the amazing actors blew me away. A disgruntled man at a bus stop and a schoolgirl running away from home, find themselves switching frequencies on a radio and consequently being transported into alternate universes and settings. They run into a furry monster during their travels too, who I promise, you will feel a strong desire to hug. The costumes and masks are unique and have a lovely aesthetic. The actors wordlessly communicate emotions with body language alone. Lighting and music reinforce the plot. Plot is not a friend of many Fringe shows much to the chagrin of traditional theatre lovers but here it is alive and well. “The Middle of Everywhere” is a visual treat. All the visuals on stage are novel and fresh. The settings the trio finds itself in are diverse and eclectic. I especially enjoyed the setting where the stage goes completely dark and we are guided by a torchlight to uncover a pleasant surprise! The creators have been known to create work that tugs at heartstrings and the same is true for this show as well. The show embodies the key values of the Fringe: creativity, whimsy and risk. An excellent choice to bring the kids to.
For Body & Light Presents: Bear Dreams
Think Canadian winter. Snow, darkness, cold, sadness, loneliness, madness. But think beauty. Glaciers, rivers, northern lights. Ian Ferrier creates an atmospheric and poetic exploration of Canadian winters in this cozy and intimate feast of spoken word, live music and contemporary dance. All these artforms are layered to form the complex emotions that winters bring. “Bear Dreams” is intimate and ever so beautiful. The choreography is powerful and passionate. The actors/dancers seemed to be in a trance as Ferrier directs their energies with his poetry and guitar from the side of the stage. The show was cased in darkness, lit only by a warm yellow light bulb. As I watched the dancers struggle against each other’s bodies for warmth and comfort, I could literally feel my own hesitation to get out of bed on winter mornings. Ferrier gets it so right. The dancers are phenomenally talented. Their dances were beautiful. They were erotic when they had to be, and poignant and sad at other times. A tent created by the dancers and audience members created a stunning replica of the northern lights. With simple props like pillows, sheets, light bulbs and their own bodies, the dancers were able to recreate the complexity of a powerfully crippling season with the utmost simplicity and economy. RC Weslowski, the poetry slam legend, opened the show with his wonderful poems. There was one about urging everyone to come closer. Another about heartbreak and promising the audience that “someone will find you delicious”. He set a really great tone of intimacy for the show. “Bear Dreams” entranced me. It was a luxurious dream. The kind where you know your alarm is going to go off soon and that you’ll have to wake up and battle a snowstorm, but for now you know you have some time to enjoy the warmth of your bed and the body of the person breathing beside you. Absolutely and breathtakingly beautiful.
For tickets and schedule info, check out the official Fringe Festival website.
-Prachi Kamble