Pip's Picks of the Fringe - DAY 2

Day 2 of my Fringe experience was yesterday, technically Day 6 of the Fringe.  I only wish I had been able to take in shows on the opening weekend rather than work to pay my rent because there are just so many I want to see! And writing a review based on my experience at each show, while fun for me, won't do much in terms of helping to promote the artists if I write it when their run is nearing its end. 

So, while I likely won't let that stop me from sharing my experience each day, today,  in addition to writing about the two shows I saw yesterday, I plan to share a list of shows I intend to see this week. (Thank goodness intention is looked upon as a good thing in the Buddhist tradition because I will sadly not get to them all).

 So...

Show #1 - The Excursionists

The comedic duo in this show about two British time-travelers trying to save King Henry from decapitation are spot on. I kept thinking of tv shows like Blackadder or Monty Python or Absolutely Fabulous while I was watching this.  If you like any of these shows, you'll like this. The show is witty, fast-paced and fun.  Loved the set design and use of props - some pretty neat stuff. And boy, do those guys get a workout! This is a laugh out loud show (that's kinda kid-friendly).

Remaining showtimes:  Sat Sep 4, 4:00pm   &    Sun Sep 5, 6:30 - Downtown Activity Centre


Show #2 - atticdwellers

Wow.  This show gave me shivers.  It's not often that my body responds so strongly to live performance. Only when it's good.  And this is good.  It's the story of three children stuck in an attic and trying to remember, using 'memory climbing', how they got there.  They play, they fight, they recall encounters with their parents, each memory building on the next, some repeating themselves as they each try to help each other understand what lead to being stuck. It's an intelligent and intense drama - written, directed and performed by a talented group of UVIC students - that left me saying "wow".

Remaining showtimes:   Thu Sep 4, 11:15pm   &   Sat Sep, 9:00   Metro Studio


So those were the two shows I caught last night.  Then it was off to the Fringe on Film event where two films I worked on were quite well-received. I was Props Master and 1st AD on a hilarious little film called Pirate Santa (http://brokenmirrorfilms.com/PirateSanta/) and I was one of two filmmakers who created a short doc about Fringe Funny Man, Wes Borg.  It was really great to watch that doc with an audience of people who know or know of Wes, and who laughed in all the right places.  Thanks everyone.

I will send a new post later today with shows I also recommend and those I intend to see this week.

Tonight it's Peter & Chris, Kitty in the City, and Gonads & Gametes.

Pip