One reason I love Fringe theatre so much is because of how artists express big, ambitious ideas on a shoestring budget. That spirit is exactly what makes Escape from Victoria so hilarious. The name alone evokes memories of John Carpenter’s Escape from New York and Escape from LA. After a successful run in Ontario as Escape from Toronto, this show has been performed with a few tweaks tailored for each city. I suppose this show’s collective name is simply Escape from Canada. For my performance, there was plenty to marvel—and gawk—at!
Local references are a highlight. In Victoria, it’s the original Hudson’s Bay Building (now the Victoria Public Market). Instead of simply admiring these sites, the play brings their history vividly to life—sometimes with biting commentary, especially concerning this landmark of the city’s history. I haven’t seen the other versions, so I don’t know if this company was intentionally targeted.
Although I’m sad to see this piece of Canadian legacy gone, the fight lives on! For a moment, I imagined it might be home to the secret organization that hired Snake Plisskin (Tamlynn Bryson) to free Karen (a puppet). But that’s not the focus here. This parody of action movies is wild, raunchy, and, honestly, I haven’t laughed this hard in years. Imagine Team America tossed into this formula, with complete freedom to push boundaries behind closed doors—whether that’s with puppets or an old transparency projector—it works brilliantly.
The performances are energetic and fully committed. Bryson is terrific with her non-stop, gender-swapped take on Snake, blending athleticism, audacity, and playful sexuality that could make anyone blush. Rod Peter Jr. deserves equal praise. Whether playing Steve Buscemi or voicing Karen, his timing and improvisation are spot-on. He also handles puppetry and even “green screen” work with the same energy, making every impromptu moment land.
Cameos from other Carpenter films pop up throughout, adding extra fun without ever feeling forced. Even his horror touches appear—and land perfectly if you’re a horror geek like me! Audience interaction also lands beautifully, making the show feel alive and unpredictable.
As for sequels or continuations, that will depend on audience response—and a bit of Fringe luck. This form of theatre makes it tough to know if a show is worth developing until theatre groups are selected. I’d love to see a continuation because this form of theatre needs more camp and parody—it can’t all be about exploring the human condition. While LGBTQ+ themes have become more prominent on stage lately, sometimes a good ol’ fashioned homage is all we need. Thankfully, upcoming events around Granville Island show just how excitingly varied this theatre can be.
5 Stars out of 5
Escape From Victoria (Canada) Sizzle Reel
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