Theatre 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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[Victoria, BC] How to do the Nerdy Fringe 2015 Edition

Various Venues
August 27 to Sept 6
Victoria, BC

Requires Fringe Button ($6)
Tickets range from $9 to 11
Available through Ticket Rocket or at the door

I’m fairly certain that there’s more than a few staff members at the Victoria Fringe Festival who are nerds too. I’ve met one person who worked there who is an avid LEGO enthusiast and I’m sure that buried in the closet are a few NERF guns. When nobody is looking, it’ll be time to bust a move.

People not acquainted with what the Fringe is about will quickly discover that the shows are experimental in nature, and the stages used are small to accommodate an intimate performance. Anything can happen, and the idea of a festival is to give new up-and-coming talent a chance to earn their cred. There’s a few groups that have moved on to bigger shows. The Reduced Shakespeare Company got their start at Fringe and Tom Stoppard‘s play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead was performed first at the Edinburgh Fringe. In a tiny way, Evil Dead: The Musical owes its debt somewhat to this method of putting on shows. It opened in a club before making it big. Musicals are just one part of what can be experienced at Fringe Festivals, and that’s what I tend to gravitate to when the Victoria Fringe Festival caps off the Summer.

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Hurrah for British Family Theatre!

By James Robert Shaw (TheWind up Geek)

If you haven’t yet seen the Olivier Awards on ITV tonight, then read no further. But to many of you brave souls who have, I say, “Then read on!”

The 2014 Olivier Awards, so named after one of the UK’s greatest actors of the 20th century, Laurence Olivier, was hosted at Convent Garden’s famed Royal Opera House in Central London.

The who’s who of UK television, film and theatre graced the red carpet with thousands of fans lined up to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. Be they Dame Judi Dench, Arthur Darvill, Martin Freeman, Hayley Atwell or Beverley Knight, a few were fortunate to even get autographs. Some were fortunate to have autographs signed by Tom Hiddleston.

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Thoughts on Walking with Dinosaurs Making Land in Victoria, B.C. Sept 19th

When people say to friends that they are going to Walking with Dinosaurs,” the most immediate response from them will no doubt be “Which one?” This year will feature the Arena Spectacular show. Not to be confused with the CGI movie or BBC documentary of the same name, people will most likely find the live show better than the film.

The film was developed to entertain young minds in a style reminiscent of Don Bluth’s Land Before Time.

But for this family fun roaming show, tickets could sell out fast. This show is coming to Victoria, BC Canada on September 18th for four days of roaring fun.

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[Victoria, B.C.] You’ll have to Wait … for Dracula: Blood is Life if you Dare

And no October can go without some kind of horror themed experience until Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman are here

Dracula2-300x287 Two shows have been added on Oct 28th to Giggling Iguana‘s production of Dracula: Blood is Life. This interactive theatre show is playing at Craigdarroch Castle, located in Victoria, B.C. Canada. At time of press, tickets are available via wait-listing by phoning the Castle and these added shows are reportedly to have been sold out. All other shows are at capacity as people planned for their All Hallow’s Eve fun during last weekend.

I reviewed this play last year for 28DLA.com. In summary, this site-specific theatrical show proves that even a complex novel like Bram Stoker’s Dracula can be distilled down to its very essence. To see it performed without missing the most important themes from this Irish novelist’s work in under an hour is very impressive. This year, this production is kicking the terror up a notch with what I hope to be more supernatural delights in the form of poltergeist activity. More bite is definitely going to be added.

Despite what the Castle management tells its tourists and staff, this building is indeed haunted!

And no October can go without some kind of horror themed experience until Dracula, Frankenstein and the Wolfman are here. Well, maybe next year. The full moon has passed. At least there is no holding the terror down. If the popularity of this particular play is an indication, Dracula: Blood is Life might become a staple for the Halloween tradition here in Victoria. But Ian Case, director of Giggling Iguana Productions, has confirmed that there will be a new show next year.

At least for the time being, all Dracula can say, “Fangs for the memories!”