20 Questions feels less like a challenge to the Reaper and more like an exploration of why certain relationships matter. Anyone familiar with The Midnight Game may recognize some of its inspiration, but playwright Ty/Hinox Wesley seems to lean heavily on the Japanese game Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai. In that tradition, participants extinguish one of a hundred candles after telling a spooky story, with the last remaining candleholder facing a far graver consequence. Here, each question functions like a candle: early answers reveal small truths, but as the count nears the last, the stakes become existential.
Only the last person asked faces the ultimate danger if they lie, creating a natural crescendo. Audience and participants alike sense the tension, and the structure excels at revealing secrets—both about the characters’ relationships and their inner lives. Who volunteers first? Who cracks under pressure? These moments blend psychological suspense with subtle comedy, exploring trust, honesty, and unspoken bonds.
In this play, the questions gradually become more intimate rather than deadlier, highlighting why Sasha and Harley are sisters-in-arms rather than mere co-workers. As paranormal investigators filming their escapades in the Pacific Northwest for a podcast, they navigate local legends and unexpected forces following them. The pairing has a playful, almost iCarly-like charm, as the two protagonists learn to rely on one another. Their dynamic—full of teasing, mutual support, and occasional tension—feels authentic and relatable.
That’s because I’ve done what they’ve done in the search for evidence that ghosts exist. Sometimes there are legends of the lost in abandoned factories, and sometimes the island itself may well be haunted! It’s ultimately about respect and giving them their due, which I feel is important. While the show nods to classic tropes regarding making deals with the devil, it does so in a way that highlights character rather than just scares. The stakes feel personal rather than abstract; it isn’t simply about avoiding a supernatural force, it’s about protecting each other, maintaining trust, and revealing who they really are beneath the bravado. These moments of intimacy, combined with tension, create a compelling rhythm from curiosity to suspense to dread.
And then there’s the Reaper—referred to as Evy or Navi (not sure which, because I’m sure various iterations were used)—which dominates every scene she enters. Her sharp, mischievous personality is reminiscent of Q from Star Trek, or even Nathan from Nickelodeon, but with a sinister edge. The actress fully owns the space, blending charm, wit, and menace. It’s in her confrontations with the protagonists that the show reaches its chilling last act. Without giving too much away, the finale is genuinely haunting, proving that behind its sassy humour lies a story capable of delivering nightmares.
20 Questions balances intimacy, humour, and suspense. It isn’t just about who survives or who is waiting for them at the crossroads of life; it’s about the connections that define us, the truths we hide, and the courage it takes to confront them. By the end, the tension feels earned, the relationships feel real, and the eerie, playful energy lingers long after the curtain falls. This is a Fringe show that cleverly weaves cultural homage, character-driven storytelling, and spine-tingling suspense into one cohesive, memorable experience.
3 Stars out of 5
Playwright Bio:
Ty/Hinox Wesley (pronouns: any/all) is a storyteller, actor, and facilitator based in Victoria, BC. Raised on Lord of the Rings and Star Trek, they have long been captivated by fantasy and narrative, a passion that led them to tabletop role-playing games over a decade ago. Having focussed on TTRPGs for the past five years, they enjoy sharing their creative knowledge through workshops and performances.
While much of their theatre career has been as an actor, they have also written original works, including Gender Sucks! (later retitled Mad as in Angry), performed at Nanaimo Fringe 2020 in an experimental live YouTube format. Currently, they are the Founder and Festival Director of Victoria RenFaire, focusing on highlighting Indigenous whimsy and joy. 20 Questions is among their favourite plays to date, and they are thrilled to share it with audiences this year.
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