On Monday July 5th I asked Susy to email me a one-sentence review of each of the plays she has seen at TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL. Yesterday she sent me an email with 5 detailed theatre reviews! As you explore these reviews, think about what sort of play you would like to see at the Fringe Festival. There are some really great productions happening all over the city.
WEAVERVILLE WALTZ
“Time for bedtime” was the first line of this marvelous play, and it was, indeed 10:45pm. The theatre was almost full of people, showing that it’s never too late to watch a show like this!
From the heart of Randy Rutherford, a master of performing art, Weaverville Waltz is a story about a boy from Weaverville, a place near Manchester. It is a funny , heartfelt comedy about falling in love, dealing with family relationships, and doping with social problems.
Like in our childhood, when we prepared ourselves to hear an interesting story before bedtime, the artist captured the attention from the audience, describing landscapes and characters which could blow our imagination into that same time and space, where songs and dialogue where combined to leave our emotions on the surface. Fascinating!
CODE BLUE
Playing at Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse, Code Blue is a beautiful comedy about faith seen from different points of view. The perspectivas include religion, science, social commentary. With a wonderful script and great actors, you should check out this comedy if you you feel like going to a reflective play where love, hope and faith are the main characters.
THE VENUS WAY
If you´re looking for a more girly comedy, “The Venus Way” is a nice option. This monologue, written and performed by Emma Hillier, shows the vulnerability of a perfect woman. Venus, the beauty goddess, painted by Sandro Botticelli, has now designed a program where you can have control of your mind, body and spirit. If you can follow “The Venus Way”, you should be able to reach happiness, or maybe not?
EMERGENCY MONOLOGUES
If don´t feel like walking a lot, you can try going to the George Ignatieff Theatre (it’s right behind Trinity!). At the Ignatieff Theatre you can watch the “Emergency Monologues”. This performing piece is based on stories of a paramedic, with great histrionic and improvisational skills, demonstrating that real life is full of adventures, interested and funny enough to present on stage.
DRACULA IN A TIME OF CLIMATE CHANGE
To adapt changes into life can be hard, even if you are Dracula! In this play, Dracula is trying to survive in today’s world, a place where beliefs and society are always changing. This surreal comedy, enriched by live music and the great performance of Susanna Jones (she had to be a Susy!), takes you on an interesting journey through ecological activism, friendship and blood-sucking. All of this unfolds between Montreal and Transilvania.
