The No Bullshit History of Invention
More lecture than theatrical presentation. Kyle Allatt delivers an engaging set of fun facts and tidbits looking at inventions that we may take for granted and the inventors behind them. An enjoyable distraction, but without any strong take-away ideas.
Recommended for trivia buffs.
Wireless Connection
A performance that actually works on the stage of the Al Green theatre! This generally high energy dance performance showcases the work of young choreographers Amy Adams and Kylie Thompson and the performances of the Point of View Dance Project. Working with themes of technology and connection, I think this company and work show promise.
My largest criticism: The light levels were too low in many points, so that the intricacies of the dance and movements of the dancers were lost. In a brief talkback after the show, this issue was also noticed by an audience member other than me, so I'm not alone in this thought.
My biggest suggestion to the choreographers: The choreography does an excellent job at marrying the music and the movement, but at sometimes feels limited by the sound. Explore allowing the dance to have its own independent rhythms in counterpoint and contrast to the music so that you get a conversation and work that expands beyond the music.
Recommended
Knots
This piece feels more like exploratory workshop, and at some points felt like drama exercise on stage, rather than completed piece. Sketches fell flat more often than they hit home, and I was left confused about the perspective being communicated. Political arguments put forward ranged from simplistic to confused, to factually flawed, and overall the piece lacks cohesion.
Not recommended.
Folk Lordz: Warriors & Fools
Todd Houseman and Ben Gorodetsky return with their improvisational storytelling, this time pulling from Cree-Blackfoot story tradition and the tales of the fools of Chelm. As an improvised show, it is hard to say how any given performance will pan out (the one I attended took a rather dark turn) but Houseman and Gorodetsky are skilled in their craft. I really enjoyed attending an improvisation that focused on the telling of a longer-form story rather than the short vignette work that I am more accustomed to. This is certainly a harder form to master, and the Folk Lordz do it well.
Recommended
Little Fires
A dance double-bill from Polynomials and Blue Ceiling Dance.
Lucy Rupert's stripped down remount of The animals and planning an intervention opens the performance and is physically and emotionally intense. This is a nuanced and mature work, beautifully presented. It is also the stronger of the two pieces.
The second piece, a four-hander by Karissa Fyrrar, entitled A Pocket Full of Matches, while certainly not simplistic, still lacked the nuance of the partner piece. I found it also suffered from its choice of music, with most of the choreography to a highly repetitive and a-melodic, ambiant music. A moment of humour involving google-eyes broke the mold and raised my attention, but generally, the piece needed more shape to keep me engaged.
While both these pieces were worth of recommendation, I fear a fringer who does not typically see dance may find them harder to access. So..
Recommended for those Fringers who regularly see dance pieces, or want to be challenged by a dance piece at the Fringe.
The Stage Manager's Guide to Dating Assholes
This is a comedy for theatre people, with some very good laughs to be had. The first half, in particular, is very tight, and very witty. Generally strong performances all around as we meet three SMs: The Sergeant, the Cheerleader, and the one who can't get her shit together. We also meet the arrogant asshole director on whose show they are working, and for whom they (in their own ways) fall for.
Unfortunately, a musical number half way through the show feels more thrown together than crafted, and derails the focus of the play. The tone, wit, and plot, never really recover.
This is a good comedy, but falls short of being the gem that it could be with a bit more craft and polish.
Still, recommended.