Toronto Theatre Reviews
Wanted, If Not Wed – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
By Mira Saraf
The slip of paper of a program I received as I walked through the doors of the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace contained the usual credits and thank yous, but in addition the definitions of the terms Old Maid and Spinster from the middle ages. This was going to be different from the other shows I’d seen, this much I knew.
Gillespie started the performance wondering why she was always cast as the older single woman or lesbian and spiraled off into questioning why there are so many women choosing to be single.
Pick of the Fringe (Punch In the Box Productions) 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
There are a few ingredients needed to make a great sketch show. You need talent, a point of view, strong writing and competent directing. Simply put, Pick of the Fringe has it all.
Lifeline (Ensemble 21) – Toronto Fringe Review
By Darryl Pring
I am always wary of collective works. I find they tend to be more diplomatic than dramatic, with every actor getting his or her time to ‘shine’. In the case of Lifeline, which played at the George Ignatieff Theatre, I’m afraid my assumption was warranted.
The Waves… first tide (Harley Dog Productions)
By George Perry
If you’ve had a rough day at work, you’re tired and your stomach is a little upset. If you’ve also had enough of the recent weather, then I know the cure for what ails you. You need a prescription written by Viginia Woolf to see her play The Waves… first tide. Take the prescription to Factory Theatre Mainspace at Adelaide and Spadina. Have it filled by Harley Dog Productions.
You’ll need to arrive early for this play for two reasons. First, the play will sell out. You need to get your tickets early. Second, there is the McAuslan Beer Patio to be enjoyed. It’s a nice little garden and a great place to relax and forget about the 9-5 working world.
Spider Baby the Musical (AFS entertainment) 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
By Dorianne Emmerton
If you love Rocky Horror, go see Spider Baby the Musical. I happen to love Rocky Horror – and Evil Dead movies and Elvira and all sorts of horror-flavoured kitsch – so I very much enjoyed Spider Baby.
If you didn’t know what you were in for before sitting down in the audience you knew it as soon as the lights came up. The first thing you see is the four female cast members dressed in slinky black slips vamping their way through the opening number. They are sexy and scary in that camp sort of way. Read the rest of this entry »
[sic] (Theatre Best/Before from Toronto) 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
I had originally been scheduled to see [sic] Monday night, but unfortunately did not make it due to being trapped in the subway during one of the rolling blackouts. It is a shame I didn’t get to see it sooner so I could have recommended it before now, as it only has one show left. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone though: if you’re attached to realism in any way, this is not the show for you.
(Sic) is an absurdist comedy. It is noisy and fast-paced and often nonsensical. I happen to love this sort of theatre, but many do not. Read the rest of this entry »
Vagina Dialogues: the Musical (Betterjam) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
By Ryan Kerr
There’s something inexplicable about the hilarity of a talking, oversized vagina. You can imagine my delight when said oversized vagina began to sing and dance! Many of you will know already if this show is up your alley, but for those who need more explanation, read on.
Just the Ticket (JR Entertainment) – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
By Ryan Kerr
The Annex Theatre’s wood-paneled walls and symmetrical wooden staircases provided an excellent backdrop for Just the Ticket – an 80’s era comedy about a young barfly’s love of Billy Joel and his attempts to snag tickets to “the concert of the century”. If you know Billy Joel’s work inside and out, you may appreciate Just the Ticket even more, but I needed no prior knowledge to laugh out loud (lol) repeatedly at the wonderful performances and clever writing.
A Freudian Slip of the Jung – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
By Winston Soon
Tight, witty and expertly realized, you’ll be hard pressed to find a show of greater professional caliber in this year’s fringe then A Freudian Slip of the Jung. As a psychology undergrad in a former life, I was impressed by both the
intelligence AND the accessibility of the material.
Ok, so it won’t change your life, but this silly – almost farcical – slick comedy is a good time for beginning to end. The writing is funny and playful without falling prey to too many Freudian jokes – and when they do it, they do it very well.
Dale Beaner and the Turtle Boy – 2010 Toronto Fringe Review
By Winston Soon
Baseball is the quintessential Father and Son sport. Last night I caught “Dale Beaner and the Turtle Boy”, a show that explores relationships between father and sons.
The more offbeat plays make for the best late night viewing, in my opinion, and this was a perfect 11:00 pm play – it begins with a child star throwing a first pitch and then murdering a seeing eye dog, punching disabled children and then making out with said dog.