2015 Archives | Otaku No Culture

[Vancouver Fringe Festival ’15] One Otaku’s Pick: Kiss Around Pass Around, A Review

11235244 VENUE:
Revue Stage
at Granville Island
1601 Johnston St.
Vancouver, BC

Thurs, Sep 17 6:45 pm
Sat, Sep 196:30 pm
Sun, Sep 203:40 pm

One part Banana Splits, two parts Japanese Folklore and three parts variety show make for a very quirky show called Kiss Around Pass Around. Yanomi Shoshinz (better known as Miss Hiccup back in Victoria Fringe Festival 2010 and 2012) created this act which blends a lot of traditions into a kaleidoscope of fun. But just what is a Kesaran Pasaran? Not many Fringe show attendees will want to research this name prior to or after seeing this production during the Vancouver Fringe Festival. As this event hits mid-way, perhaps its time to demystify this creature.

According to one online source, it’s the name of a spirit of good fortune. It’s essentially a white ball of fluff that’s evolved from a plant. When the material flies around like the white parts of a dandelion after a strong gust of wind, the joy it brings is often a delight to anyone running through a field of them. That’s what this show is like.

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[Vancouver Fringe Festival ’15] Ed’s Nerdy Picks

We offer our top geeky style picks of this year’s Vancouver Fringe Festival.

vancouver-fringe-festival Victoria Fringe goers need not stop with the fun of enjoying independent theatre when considering the Vancouver event starts tomorrow. Just what this mainland show offers are more acts and plenty of eateries mostly taking place on or near Granville Island. Will I be there? Only time will tell if I can get past the daze of the last few days of summer and quickly access what funds I have left to plan for a weekend stay.

The geek in me is screaming to go see certain shows. They must be checked out! Here are my picks for fellow nerds to enjoy during the Vancouver Fringe Festival.

Alone in the Universe

After being launched into space to find the meaning of existence, Adam Pateman is forced to do a sketch comedy and stand-up show to save the entire universe from being destroyed!

CAROUSEL THEATRE
1411 Cartwright Street

Thurs, Sep 10 8:00 pm
Fri, Sep 11 5:00 pm
Sat, Sep 12 10:45 pm
Sun, Sep 13 6:45 pm
Tues, Sep 15 6:00 pm
Fri, Sep 18 7:00 pm
Sat, Sep 19 10:30 pm

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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’15] Tracking the Birdmann’s Flight to Vancouver Fringe, A Review

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LOCATION:
Performance Works
1218 Cartwright St.
Vancouver, BC

DURATION: 50 minutes

The nose knows that even on the last day of this act’s performance at the Victoria Fringe Festival, The Birdmann in Momentous Timing must not be missed. If he has flown the coup in one city, at least his show can be found at the next stop. In this festival circuit’s case, that’s Vancouver Fringe Festival, in British Columbia! This product is certainly offbeat, blending a variety of stage shows — balancing acts, dance, magic tricks and standup — into one show. A few bits felt unneeded (like the lacklustre transmogrifying box of tricks) and others more compelling, like being able to juggle plastic bags. If there’s a metaphor behind an ironing board and a clothes iron, no one is telling about what it is.

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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’15] Why Don’t You Stay Awhile at the Casino Royale? A Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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LOCATION:
St Andrew’s Gymnasium
1002 Pandora
Victoria , BC

SHOWTIMES:
Sept 2 | 5:45 pm
Sept 5 | 10:30 pm
Sept 6 | 3:00 pm

DURATION:
54 minutes

No fan of Ian Fleming’s work will want to escape from Casino Royale lest James Bond strips him or her cash bare. This story by Ian Fleming is what launched a franchise and this play directed by Ian Case (a very respected theatre veteran in Victoria, BC) and written by David Elendune (who is equally getting renown) did a great job in pacing out a story that works very well on stage. Usually cold war dramas are tough to manage in a medium outside of film, and for Bond … James Bond, the early works certainly looks very adaptable. His adventures were told in comic strips before. On stage, at the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival, experimentation is highly encouraged!

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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’15] Dirk Darrow Returns to Victoria with Two Ruby Knockers, A Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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VENUE:
Victoria Event Centre
1415 Broad Street

PERFORMANCE DATES:
Sept 2 | 6:15 pm
Sept 4 | 10:00 pm
Sept 5 | 4:45 pm
Sept 6 | 6:30 pm

LENGTH:
60 minutes

Any criticisms I had before about Tim Motley‘s characterization of the gumshoe, Dirk Darrow, are moot after seeing him in 2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick. This newest show by this Australian performer is a solid tribute (done as a parody, complete with puns) to the noir stylings from the golden age of cinema, with a few terrific magic acts buried within. When compared to what I wrote on 28DLA.com years ago investigating the supernatural aspects that drew me to this show, there were other parts in the production I had to question. This review is reprinted with permission (see below) where I noted his jokes included modern cultural references. I love the fact this new act stayed 100% in period.

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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’15] Adapting Neil Gaiman’s Fortunately, the Milk to Stage, A Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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LOCATION:
The Roxy Theatre
2657 Quadra Street
Victoria, BC

SHOWTIMES:
September 1 | 6:00 pm
September 4 | 9:30 pm
September 5 | 8:30 pm
September 6 | 7:15 pm

DURATION: 60 minutes

Anyone familiar with Neil Gaiman‘s Fortunately, the Milk will find Windwhistle Theatre’s adaptation for the Fringe festival circuit captivating. Marion Jeffery is excellent giving life to the spoken word, and she commands the stage. When considering her background includes working at Birmingham Children’s Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama, and performing at The Kennedy Center, no one should be surprised. Both adults and children will be enthralled in how vividly well she can recall the text.

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