Theatre Archives | Page 3 Of 29

What’s on Stage for Halloween Victoria 2024? The Scares Don’t Have To Be Real

Instead of offering the usual list, the focus here is what live theatre performances are being offered this year for a fun filled Halloween Victoria, BC

Halloween Victoria at the Legislature Buildings

Just what has changed this year for Halloween Victoria is that there are some new acts involved in celebrating the season and some fond returning staples. While this list is not meant to be comprehensive, the focus is with what live theatre performances are being offered over the same ol’ same ol’.

In a nutshell, they include Discover the Past’s Ghostly Walks, Galey Farms’ Festival of Fear and Ocean View / Saanichton Corn Mazes Fright Nights. It seems some local neighbourhood style events have disappeared, and they might make a comeback when nobody is worried about Covid. But as for other semi-regular shows, they are mentioned in the Honourable Mention section.

Also, thanks goes to the Theatre Victoria Facebook group for helping me compile this list. Presented in alphabetical order are:

ATOMIC VAUDEVILLE PRESENTS:
CABARET #88 CRONE-O-PHOBIA

Join Victoria’s own Wyrd Sisters Kelly Hobson and Amanda Butler on a journey to the Crone Zone featuring cats, tradwives, and a bucket of pig’s blood. They will be asking questions like: Who is Perry O’Menopause? What comes after Brat Summer? And what’s that Blood Moon all about?

All this and more in Atomic Vaudeville’s first Halloween Spectravaganza at our new venue, Fellowship Hall!

Atomic Vaudefille Crone

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Dave Morris’ Sentimental 52 Stories Returns For a One Night Engagement

In what makes this live-theatre monologue style show special is that Dave Morris has 52 Stories to tell, and he manages to breeze through them all in a tight act!

Playing Oct 5, 2024
Georges P. Vanier Secondary
4830 Headquarters Road
Courtenay, BC

Tickets available through Eventbrite

Who needs the Bard of Avon when Dave Morris is around? After a successful run at the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival, he’s confirmed his latest work, 52 Stories, will not be shelved, but rather be transformed into an autobiography, and he’ll bring this show back upon request and quite possibly when his book is ready to hit shelves!

Although most of his improv and Paper Street Theatre productions are offered to residents of Victoria, BC, first, there’s a handful of acts that do tour, depending on when he’s been asked to guest lecture elsewhere or hired to. His stage presence can only be described as down to earth, and the tone he uses to engage audiences with his tales is melodic. Whether he uses that in his magic act, or during an improv moment, it all depends on engaging the audience in amusing ways. And when he’s a hard core nerd, that helps a lot too!

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Theatre GUMBO’s Are You Lovin’ It? You Gotta Say Yes to this Crazy Fringe Comedy!

Last year, Theatre GUMBO entertained the masses with Forest of Truth, and with the lastest taking a stab at consumerism, you just gotta see it than answer the question!

Theatre GUMBO Are You Lovin' It? Promotional Poster The question I have after seeing Theatre GUMBO‘s wacky kabuki style show, “Are You Lovin’ It?” concern who is worse, fast-food chains or the big box stores? Both operations use visual and well-known word slogans that are familiar to pop culture iconography, and the show crafts them well, whether or not they can be used ironically.

And as far as consumerism is concerned, just what’s presented in an hour ranges from everything kids enjoy from local Japanese television game shows and for us adults, maybe Squid Games? I am sure the Icelandic show Lazytown is as much of an influence because of the costume designs. Ultimately, after the show, I was still asking myself WTF did I see?

This performance is a satire on everything folks worldwide may despise about Western globalisation. McDonald’s is everywhere, and it’s easier to poke fun at them than Walmart. Some folks get brainwashed by their ideals, and with the clowns ready to fight back, the finale packs a welcoming wallop to things people don’t like. That gets symbolised into a ball that we can throw away!

Are You Lovin' It? Promotional Image

I hope we can have the same level of certainty for understanding what goes into preserving the freshness of those hamburgers and french fries from the factory. We still don’t know, and the news can create false information to satisfy concerns. They’re fast food for a reason, but as for where the ingredients came from, even I shuddered at this play’s suggestion. The fact the goop is “pink” says it all.

But what’s more front and centre is the iconography used. I won’t spoil too much, but when Ronald MacDonald was the frontman for the chain, everyone loved this operation. When I was younger, I didn’t care. Over time, I disliked how this restaurant’s french fries taste. Once I learned how to double dip fries properly and sprinkle them with freshly ground lake salt, and perhaps garnish them with chives and pepper on top, there was no turning back!

Anyone who loves surreal comedies will double over in laughter in everything this Fringe show represents. This troupe hasn’t lined up where they’ll perform next. I suspect they’ll need a break after this local show, as I thought they’d continue in Vancouver’s event, but apparently not. As for what they’ll dream up next year, I’m sure it’ll be gonzo. I’ll gladly watch anything they offer since they’re more than ready to truly be Fringy to close my theatre experience with.

Theatre Gumbo Teaser Trailer

A Nerd’s Guide to the 2024 Vancouver Fringe Festival

For those unable to make it to the Victoria show, the Vancouver Fringe Festival will have a few acts from this island show on the mainland!

Vancouver Fringe Festival Generic — **Runs September 5th to 15th, 2024**

The Vancouver Fringe Festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and this event promises to be big. Just where one can find the cake will depend on what they announce for parties. And for those at Terminal City from September 5th to 15th, Granville Island will be abuzz with lots of fun events for all to enjoy! This list does not include the acts from the Victoria show that will be coming over. For a list on that, please visit this guide.

What I offer is mostly a sampling. As I’ve said before in my preview for the Victoria event, each year won’t necessarily be representative of everything that can arrive for any local event. Here are my top five picks (please note, the links go to this festival’s ticket office for that show).

Hot Dog!

Devon More Music

Hot Dog! Devon More Music presents an outdoor art-rock show… for the dogs! Canines and their human companions can enjoy Devon’s infectious originals alongside curious cover songs in the open air – under the cover of Granville Island’s Picnic Pavilion. This show aims to turn the old adage “never work with children or animals” on its head, and prove that anything is paw-sible!

All well-socialized dogs and humans, big or small, young or old are welcome to join in the pet-a-palooza. Parade your pet and earn tasty treats for tremendous tricks (provided by the Granville Island Pet Treatery). Have a ball with Devon’s Doggy Dance Party. Regardless of how ruff your day is going, this is sure to be a chance to unleash yourself and raise the woof!

seaMAN

2 Sleepy RatGuys

SeaMAN Promotional Card YARGH! Join the saltiest sea captain ever on a “30min scenic boat tour” This queer nautical comedy is like the deranged love child of Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse and Gilligan’s Island. This show is a whirlwind of revenge-fueled sea-venture combining outrageous physical comedy with a few dark twists and turns.

Alternately played by two actors, it’s a one-man-show by two featuring the saltiest sailor to ever set sail on the several seas. Prepare yourself for a hilarious on-stage scenic boat tour that promises fishing, the ocean breeze … and SO much more.

Full Metal Comedy

Full Metal Comedy

Full Metal Comedy is a stand up comedy show based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was started by Shawn Cuthand and Danny Knight as a way to get stage time in Saskatchewan. In the prairies you can literally see that there is no stage time for miles and days! The show works like an open mic to encourage new comedians to give it a try, but for the Vancouver Fringe, we’re bringing our best!

Shawn Cuthand is a writer/comedian and producer based in Treaty 6 Territory from Little Pine First Nation. He is a part of The Feather News on APTN Lumi and has been doing stand up for 6 years. Danny Knight is an actor/writer/comedian and director from Muskoday First Nation and is the host of The Feather News on APTN Lumi. Ryan Moccasin is a writer/comedian and producer from Saskatoon, SK and is the CEO of The Feather News. he is also a novelist with the book “Suicide Empire” in his credits. Cheyenna Sapp will be at the first half of the shows as well. Cheyenna is a stand up comedian/actress/writer from Little Pine First Nation. She plays “Rose” on CTV’s Acting Good and performs all over Canada making communities laugh. Local comedian Sasha Mark will also be helping curate from the local talent pool to provide guest spots and hosting opportunities for the festival.

Camp Goneaway

Ragamuffin Productions

Camp Goneaway Promotional Card What’s lurking in the lake? Margot and Evie are best friends. When they hear a legendary sea monster is hiding in the depths of their camp waters, they are determined to uncover its secrets. For fans of Gravity Falls and The Babysitters Club Mysteries, this heartfelt campfire jamboree explores the relationship between girlhood and eco-anxiety.

This is a new work from award winning company Ragamuffin Productions: June Bug, FRANK.

Proximity: The Space Between Us

Theatre Terrific

Proximity- The Space Between Us Amidst the improbability of connections forming around us, “Proximity: The Space Between Us” , co-created by an all-abilities cast, delves into the delicate balance of distance and connection. Through a series of interconnected narratives that open into a realm of infinite possibility, this physical theatre piece embraces the emotional and physical complexities that define our shared humanity, inviting audiences to reflect on the threads that unite and separate us.

When New Wave Your Behaviour Is Better Than Strangling It at the Victoria Fringe

Modifying your life isn’t too hard in this musical comedy where New Wave Your Behaviour shows how sonic therapy is benificial.

Hamilton7

Tor Lukasik-Foss is a performer who has issues, and when he transforms his feelings into an act simply titled New Wave Your Behaviour, I’m sure many people can relate. In this show, his character is having more than just your average mid-life crisis. In fact, he’s diagnosed with a Dissociative disorder.

It’s become troublesome enough where he’s been “discharged” from work until he can sort things out. The higher-ups are kind to keep him sort of on the payroll, and with more time at home, his family are somewhat liking having him around and hating it (when he has his episodes) at the same time.

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When Andrew Bailey’s Brain Machine is Operating at the Victoria Fringe Festival 2024, Not Everything is Meant to Compute!

…but when it does, this brilliant play about the life and times of the narrator against society, machine learning (hence the title Brain Machine) and Life(tm) does have meaning in that strange Monty Python type of way.

Andrew Bailey's Brain Machine Anyone not familiar with Andrew Bailey‘s work may find Brain Machine disjointed and seemingly randomly transitioning from one story to another. It’s like those monologues one sees on a late night talk show, where the host can talk about anything, and audiences will laugh. Although I stopped watching these types of shows when Arsenio Hall’s show went off the air, this spoken word comedy caught my attention because I liked the title.

As a result, I paid more attention to his thoughts on the growth of Silicon Valley. Although he lived nowhere near, the stuff he had to say about the development of ARPANET to distributed data in a network and eventually the Internet, makes up one third of the show.

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