24th Annual Victoria Fringe Festival

posted on August 27, 2010 by Ian

So you've heard about these "Fringe Festivals", after all they have them all over the world, but you're not really sure what they are or if they're for you.  Well as someone who's attended "The Fringe" in Edmonton, Vancouver, Victoria and even Edinburgh (The Granddaddy of them all) I can assure you they're worth getting to know! This year in Victoria there over 400 performances of 65 shows in 17 venues over 11 days so odds are there's gotta be something you'll love.

First and foremost a Fringe Festival is a theatre festival but unlike traditional theatre festivals "Fringes" are unjuried. In other words there's no group of people deciding if the performances you're about to see are "appropriate" or "good enough". The plays are chosen by lottery so technically you could end up watching a naked clown stand on his head for an hour!  OK that's a bit of an exaggeration because the  performers are here to earn a living and they want you to enjoy their shows. In fact they want you to enjoy them so much that you will rave about them and influence other festival goers to choose their show over another.

Audience feedback is a huge and fun part of the festival. When you're lining up for a show you'll hear your line mates talking about other shows they have seen. In today's techy world you can also read reviews online of follow reviewers on Twitter (#yyjfringe). There's even an iPhone app.

Tickets are cheap at $11 and at least 50% of the house is reserved for rush seating with tickets on sale 1 hour before show time. You need a $5 VISA button to get into any shows and these proceeds go to Intrepid Theatre who put on the Fringe. If you would like to donate more please do so as our provincial Gov't has decimated Arts funding this year and Intrepid could use your support.

For up to date information and last minute schedule changes be sure to check out the website

If you've seen any shows be sure to post your reviews alongside mine in the comment section below.

 

6 Comments

INNKEEPER IAN

Posted 2 years ago

Public Confessions of a Public Servant

I caught this brilliant one person show at the Victoria Event Centre and although it was a gloriously sunny afternoon the place was packed. Buzz around the fringe was that this show was one to catch and Missy sure proved that right!

Anyone who has ever worked for Gov't or had to suffer the bureaucracy would be in tears. Great audience involvement and slick staging combine to make this my favourite performance of the festival.

INNKEEPER IAN

Posted 2 years ago

Peter n Chris Save the World

Really enjoyable physical comedy! Hopefully compost can save the world!

INNKEEPER IAN

Posted 2 years ago

Dave Morris is an A**HOLE

Having met the performer in the lineup for TJ Dawe's show I can say he's probably not an A-hole but it's a catchy title for a show. I saw Saturday night's performance and while I enjoyed it I think that inorder to get the best the audience needs to deliver too.

This is an improv show and Dave gets his start by asking audience members to explain what they have done in the past that makes them an A-Hole. He then takes this material and runs far and wide.

Alas on Saturday Jim & Steve didn't supply any truly comic material so Dave had to really reach. Luckily he's clearly gifted and soon we were embroiled in a story that I sure couldn't have made up!

If you are going to see the show come prepared to share your worst for the audience's sake. Share the time you slept with your best friend's girlfriend or returned a big screen the day after superbowl! It'll be funny and that's what improves all about :)

INNKEEPER IAN

Posted 2 years ago

LUCKY 9

I read in the program that TJ Dawe was a Fringe Legend and after catching this show I can see why. It's an amazing monolog that blends autobiography with politics with HBO's "The Wire" and the philosophy of enneagram's.

This show will sell out each night but with 50% of the house's tix available at the door just get there early!

INNKEEPER IAN

Posted 2 years ago

The History of the Lost and Found

If you leave the theatre humming "Cinnamon & Raisin" in your own carribbean accent you know you had a good time. This 2 actor show was delightful and funny but you gotta go now as it ends Monday dueto the short availability of Langham court.

Cinnamon and Raisin, Cinnamon & Raisin...... :)

innkeeper Ian

Posted 2 years ago

After enjoying Rob's verbal visons of life in an asylum with last year's Fruitcake I quickly circled Ghengis Khan as a must see. Rob didn't disappoint.

His quirky english humour and slam poetry style had the audience howling with laughter as he moves through life's various stages. Definately one to see but be warned - don't buy the silverware!

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