The Edmonton Fringe Festival
We decided to take a chance and head out into the crowds for our return to the Edmonton Fringe Festival. (It always feels like we’re taking a chance ever since Covid arrived to stay. Ugh.)
The first show I chose was one written and performed by Ellie Heath about her journey through addictions and (hopefully) redemption on the other side. She did an excellent job and the show was brave and powerful…and funny too! It was called “Fake and Bake”. The play was in the brand new Roxy Theatre so I also enjoyed taking a look at that and the new art gallery within.
Then a couple of days later we went to the actual Fringe grounds to catch 3 more shows.
Next up I chose “The Nashville Hurricane” and we were THRILLED with this show. It was so superb that it brought me to tears actually. The actor played several different characters with smooth transitions to each one. There was no mistaking his savant boy, the preacher/agent, the old performer, the mother ….and on top of that he played guitar like you wouldn’t believe. That ALONE was worth the price of admission.
We left with a C.D. of the performer Chase Padgett who apparently was a semi-finalist on Season 1 of the singing show “Alter Ego”. Cool!
We had a really nice supper at a sandwich shop called “Pals” and then headed off to see the show “Anatolia Speaks”. This was a show about a woman from Bosnia who is speaking to her E.S.L. class (us the audience actually) about her experiences of leaving her homeland and family and moving to Canada. An excellent, moving drama.
Next up we enjoyed a show called “The Long Night of the American Dream” which was a play within a play within a dream within a play……
Also incredible writing and acting by these 2 actors from New York. VERY good!
Soon evening was upon us so we grabbed a sweet treat ( He: ice cream cheesecake on a stick. She: mini donuts) and then we walked around checking out the grounds a bit before heading home.
We really enjoyed the day and the talents of these world class performers.
We also treated ourselves to a couple of held over shows.
Anatomica was a crazy but fun about a person (who identifies as They, Them) who spoke about our anatomy and thoughts about our bodies/skeletons. Rat Academy was a wonderfully funny show about one rat teaching his friend how to act like one. They encouraged lots of audience participation and their improve was excellent too.
