Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival Archives

Asking Ty/Hinox Wesley 20 Questions at the Victoria Fringe Festival

Experience 20 Questions at Victoria Fringe: two paranormal investigators, a mischievous Reaper, and secrets that’ll haunt you long after the show ends.

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.

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The Disney Delusion is More Than a Coming of Age, But A Coming Out Comedy Touring the Fringe World

Leif Oleson-Cormack’s one-man show, The Disney Delusion is a painfully funny romp through crushes, castles, and self-doubt. Think romance ideals meet anti-fairy-tale—and leave no sparkler unturned. #FringeFestival #TheatreReview #LGBTQ

The Disney Delusion Fairy tales tell us that love should be effortless—one glance across a crowded room, one spark of magic, and happily ever after begins. But real life rarely follows that script. In The Disney Delusion, Leif Oleson-Cormack digs into that uncomfortable gap between ideal and reality, showing how fairy-tale notions of romance can unravel spectacularly when tested against messy human emotions. The premise may sound familiar, but it’s hard not to be reminded of Disney’s Enchanted, where recognizing true love is anything but simple. Thankfully, no one bursts into song.

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Becoming Theater’s Kin Is More Than A Bold Play On Words

Kin flips Rumpelstiltskin on its head, blending myth, music, and Rapunzel’s journey into one of Victoria Fringe Theatre’s most imaginative production that speaks about why we all need family too, no matter what dreams may come.

Kin Promo Poster — **Remaining Shows: Aug 27 8:00 pm and Aug 28 8:00 pm**

Just when I thought I’d seen every take on Rumpelstiltskin, Andrew Sawyer’s experimental theatre company, Becoming Theater, flips the fairy tale inside out without touching Disney. In Kin, the story shifts from the imp to Rapunzel (Lauren Steinmann). The title hints at his involvement, but placing her at the centre immediately signals something unusual, and raises the question: why are these two characters sharing the same story?

That twist can feel disorienting, but it makes for an engaging reinterpretation. And it’s the type of show that’s appropriate to test out in the world of Fringe Theatre. Also, I’m fairly sure the Brothers Grimm never explicitly identified the Queen’s daughter as Rapunzel, so this fresh angle works. And when the Fringe is often the home for many new takes on their content, I knew I had to check this show out!

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Juicy Woo Woo! A Mind-Bending Cosmic Cabaret at Victoria Fringe 2025

In what makes John Sobol’s Juicy Woo Woo – the UFO Cabaret – unique is that he’s up to date with the latest facts, theories and disguises. And he encourages everyone to look at the facts too!

Some conspiracies about the alien agenda lean into Juicy Woo Woo! territory—and if John Sobol has any say, that’s exactly where he wants to lead us. As a storyteller and musician, he mixes UFO lore, pop culture, and cosmic musings into a 60-minute journey that moves from fear to acceptance. With his show, he wants audiences to feel they are in the experience. Here, they also get caught up in the latest reports too.

There are no cameos from the jazz greats I usually spin, but I swear Pharoah Sanders might have heard the call.Anything tied to cosmic consciousness or “The One” could appear, though that might overwhelm a casual Fringe crowd. As for the Lemurians of Mt. Shasta or why some people live in a shared bubble, that depends on which studies you trust.

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A Nerds’s Guide to the 2025 Victoria Fringe Festival

We offer our top ten picks on what to see at the 2025 Victoria Fringe Festival, and they span a wide range that includes comedy, burlesque and sci-fi!

The 2025 Victoria Fringe Festival will soon take over the Garden City and while I’m divided since it’s the start of Ghost Month, I’ll handle both in my own super and natural way. This year’s lineup promises a fantastic mix of comedy, drama, sci-fi, and musicals from both local and touring artists. To help you navigate the packed schedule, I’ve put together a list of must-see picks that cover everything from improvised Shakespeare to a musical about Rapunzel and a drag sci-fi show. Whether you’re looking for something spooky, silly, or seriously thought-provoking, this guide has you covered.

20 QUESTIONS

HINOX/TY WESLEY Victoria, BC
Created by: Hinox/Ty Wesley

Two paranormal investigators try to save their jobs until an annoying mysterious entity comes along and lures them into playing a game to save them from their ‘horrible fate’. Can they save themselves before their first date?

Showtimes: August 22 at 7:30 pm, August 31 at 5:00 pm.

THE DISNEY DELUSION

LEIF OLESON-CORMACK Edmonton, AB
Written by: Leif Oleson-Cormack

A hit at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe, this (unfortunately) true story follows a disastrous Disneyland trip that spirals into crime, delusion, and chaos on the night of the 2008 US election—featuring sinister sugar daddies, Sinatra impersonators, and a LOT of magical thinking along the way.

Showtimes: August 27 at 6:00 pm, August 28 at 7:15 pm, August 29 at 5:30 pm, August 30 at 12:00 pm, August 31 at 4:15 pm.

ESCAPE FROM VICTORIA

TAMLYNN BRYSON Toronto, ON
Created by: Tamlynn Bryson & Rod Peter Jr.

It’s 1997, the future. Snake must clear his name and save Canada! The Canadian comedy hit of 2024 finally comes to Victoria.

Show Dates: August 20-31, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

JUICY WOO-WOO!

SOBOLTALK Burritt Rapids, ON
Created by: John Sobol

Juicy Woo-Woo! – the UFO Cabaret – features funky saxman and high-octane action poet John Sobol in a dazzling one-man show that offers a cogent and mind-expanding recap of the latest stunning developments in the weird and wild realm of UFOs.

Showtimes: August 21 at 7:45 pm, August 22 at 6:00 pm, August 23 at 3:15 pm & 2:00 pm, August 26 at 8:00 pm.

KIN

BECOMING THEATER Victoria, BC
Created by: Andrew Sawyer

An original musical based on the story of Rapunzel. When she learns she isn’t who she thought she is, Rapunzel travels down into the magical forest below her tower to find her name.

Showtimes: August 21 at 8:00 pm, August 27 at 8:00 pm, August 28 at 8:00 pm.

ORIGINS OF THE COAST

ALECTORIA PRODUCTIONS Victoria, BC
Created by: Alectoria Productions

The creatures that live in those hidden places all around us have crawled out of the ocean and the forest and the mountains to speak with you at Macauley Point. They have been here since time began, and they are ready to share their story.

Show Dates: August 20-31, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

POPURRÍ

PLASTIK THEATRIK Victoria, BC
Created by: Lore Andrea

From the nightmarish visions of an outcast Latina comes this surreal collection of short vignettes blended together with a whimsical and eerie flavour.

Show Dates: August 20-31, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

RUBY’S POP UP PEEPSHOW

RUBY ENTERTAINMENTS AND EVENTS Victoria, BC
Created by: Ruby a.k.a Sarah Smith

By donation at the venue. People are pleasure! Doomsday got you down? Practice “radical joy” with us! Our travelling carnival-style entertainment has body-positive vibes. A community of celebration, with performances in the Pop Up circus caravan, accompanied by novel elements like popcorn, games, and prizes. It’s go-go on the go!

SPACE QUEEN

DRAG SUNDAY PRODUCTIONS Victoria, BC
Created by: Aaron Nickol/Shelita Cox

What do you do when the stories you needed growing up didn’t exist? This one-person sci-fi drag musical is a love letter to the queer futures we dream of, and a fight song for the histories we’ve lost. Sequins. Synths. And outer space.

Show Dates: August 23-30, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

TRAGEDY OR TRIUMPH:
AN IMPROVISED SHAKESPEAREAN EPIC

THE SPONTANEOUS SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Vancouver, BC
Created by: The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company

Come see a once-in-a-lifetime Shakespearian epic, inspired by your story. Will it be a heart-rending tragedy or an epic romance? Join and find out!

Show Dates: August 20-31, 2025. Specific showtimes are not yet listed.

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.