Pip's Picks of the Fringe - DAY 4

So, last night did not go according to plan. I managed to pick the most popular shows. They all sold out! I missed Ginger Ninjas because of this but still managed to catch Wanderlust and Die Roten Punkte (but it was close).  Then, my intention was to hit the Fringe Club for the Atomic Vaudeville Cabaret, but when I was given the opportunity to see Poison the Well at 11:30pm (tough timeslot for any fringe artist), I decided to do that and I'm glad I did.


Show #1 - Wanderlust

This show has been a sell-out show across the country and last night was no different.  I nearly didn't get in! Martin Dockery is a natural story-teller, which was obvious at Dave Morris' showdown when Martin tied for first place with Jayson McDonald.  And the fact that this tale is entirely true makes it that much more appealing.  Martin tells us about when he traveled to West Africa for 5 months in search of an epiphany.  The adventures he has along the way are certainly not ordinary and even those that may not have been fun at the time, are funny in the re-telling. I enjoyed this show.

Remaining Showtimes:  Fri Sep 3, 9:30,  Sat Sep 4, 7:30 & Sun Sep, 3:15   Wood Hall


Show #2 - Die Roten Punkte

The line up for tickets to this show was almost round the block.  I count myself lucky I was able to get in as there were a lot of disappointed fans lamenting to the lineup of ticketholders.  I missed this show last year and can now understand why it gets a lot of buzz.  It's a rock show / comedy show / family drama all rolled into one.  I found myself tapping my feet to the music, laughing out loud at the quibbles between siblings Astrid and Otto, and the 50+ year old guy beside me, who said it was his first time to a Die Roten Punkte show, just couldn't contain himself. He said he'd never seen anything like it, and loved it!  My friends and I had a good time at this show.


Remaining Showtimes:  Sat Sep 4, 6:00,   & Sun Sep 5, 8:30   Downtown Activity Centre


Show #3 - Poison the Well

As this show was not on my original list, I knew nothing about it when I took my seat in the audience with 10 other people.  Late shows at the Fringe are a hard sell, especially intense dramas like this one.  While it was late, and I'd been to two shows already, and had hoped to make it to the AV Cabaret, I am glad I saw this show.  It's an intense political drama about two childhood friends who meet on opposite sides of the war.  Strong performances and lengthy pregnant pauses kept me engaged. While speaking with Elison Zasko, one of the performers, following the show, she was concerned that it may not be suitable for fringe audiences. She may be right.  I would recommend this show for anyone who enjoys the dramatic plays presented at the Belfry and for any "Fringer" who likes drama and is willing to take a chance.

Remaining Showtimes:  Tonite at 6:00 and Sat, Sep 4 at 8:00  - Downtown Activity Centre



So speaking of chances, I think that this is one of the best parts of the Fringe Festival experience: taking a chance on a show that you may not otherwise plan or even get to see.  It's so easy to go to the most popular shows, but if you can't get in, and you can't get to another show in time, then you've missed out on another Fringe show experience, even if it's a show you don't particularly enjoy.  I mean the lineups are fun, but it's shows we really want to see isn't it?

This afternoon I took a chance on Breakfast in Vegas, which was presented daily this week at Cabin 12 restaurant.  Today was the final show.  I'm glad I caught it.  I was able to sit back with a coffee and some lunch and listen to a story about how life is all about taking risks.  Part storytelling and book reading, there were also musical interludes which included songs from an era that clearly resonated with the elderly woman in the audience as she sat alone at a table near the stage, tapping her orthopedic shoes on the floor.  What I took from the show is that life is a game of chance where, even with Lady Luck on our side, we can sometimes get dealt a bad hand.  I, unfortunately, got dealt a bad hand when I was one of 4 audience members who volunteered to play a single hand of poker as part of the show. Ah well. Better luck next time! 


Tonite it's Psycho Bitch at 7:45 and then Antoine Feval at 9:15

Tomorrow, it's Public Confessions of a Public Servant at 2:45, Lucky 9 at 5:45, Gun Powder at 7, Money Fast at 9, and Dave Morris is an Asshole at 11:15. 

Well, that's the plan...

Pip