T

The performance of choice

Fringe Fest 2010

By Cody Klyne, Arts Editor

ou’re gripped by the shakes
Y as shivers run wild up and
down your spine. You’ve got
_some late nights and long days ahead
of you. Important decisions are about
to be made. But fear not. The start of
September isn’t all doom and gloom
(I promise).

While my hyperbole might
mimic the telltale effects of the
start of a new semester on some,
what I’m talking about is something
to take the edge off. Gripped by
shakes of excitement and ravaged by
shivers of anticipation for topnotch
entertainment; its Fringe Fest time in
Vancouver and this year is jammed
packed.

Taking place over the course of
eleven too-short days, September 9"
— 19", the Fringe Fest is the perfect
opportunity to put down your freshly
purchased textbooks— you'll have
plenty of time to get acquainted
with them over the next few
months— in favor of a Fringe Fest
program (available online at http://
www.vancouverfringe.com/ or at
VPL locations) and get to planning
how you’ll experience the first big
event of the Fall 2010 arts calendar.
With tons of great acts, people, and
performances to see throughout the
Festival’s run, here are just a few of
my top picks for the first week of
Fringe 2010:

Poison the Well

What: The story of two
childhood friends separated by war
and reunified under the unsavory
circumstances of a hostile hostage
crisis, Poison the Well is looking
to be one of the standout dramatic
performances of Fringe 2010.
Where: Playwrights Theatre Centre
(3" floor, 1398 Cartwright St.,
Granville Island)
When: Thursday Sept 9" @ 5:00pm

The Harbingers

What: Sam Harbinger has
dreams of becoming a successful
actor. Too bad he has the worst
contract in show business. Bound to
his job at a children’s television show,
Sam takes the task of getting the

8

show canceled into his own hands the
only way he knows how—by making
it wholly unfit for young eyes.
Where: Studio 16 (1555 West 7th
Avenue)

When: Friday September 10" @
6:35pm

7(x1) Samurai

What: One man (David
Gaines) performs the epic story of
the Seven Samurai at a breakneck
pace. Complete with peasants,
bandits, samurai, and a spectacular
fight scene, this unique comedic
envisioning looks to be ridiculous in
the best of ways.
Where: Waterfront Theatre (1412
Cartwright Street)
When: Saturday Sept 11" @ 4:55pm

The Creaking Planks

What: The lone musical act on
my list, be sure to check these guys
out if you’re in the mood for an
atmospheric and raucous evening of
pirate rock shanties and accordion-
heavy cover songs. Nautical in
theme and orchestral in sound, these
folks are guaranteed to make an
impression. Yo ho!
Where: Agro Café (1363 Railspur
Alley)
When: Sunday Sept 12" @ 9:30pm

Teaching Shakespeare

What: A parody of a college
Shakespeare class gone awry by
playwright Keir Cutler, Teaching
Shakespeare has become a heavy-
hitter in the Canadian Fringe circuit.
So sit back and enjoy this witty
and rich satire and experience
Shakespeare in a whole new light.
Where: False Creek Gym (1318
Cartwright St.)
When: Monday Sept 13" @ 9:15pm

Dr. Horrible: Sing Along Blog

What: 2008 saw the online
release of Joss Whedon’s tragicomedy
sensation about a slightly-disgruntled
man pining for the attention of
the girl of his dreams, and failing
miserably. Watch Dr. Horrible and
Captain Hammer do battle for the
affections of Penny all over again in
this Broadway West production.
Where: Firehall Arts Centre (280 E.

K _
Cordova St.)
When: Tuesday Sept 14" @ 5:00pm —

A Day in the Life of Miss Hiccup

What: This kooky and surrealist
look into the life of the mysterious
Miss Hiccup by Tokyo comedian
Shoshinz is a dynamic and bold
one-woman show. A multi-faceted
performance piece incorporating
movement, music, and sound, it’s
something that’s sure to raise as many
eyebrows as it is hands in applause.

 

Where: Performance Works (1215
Cartwright St.)
When: Wednesday Sept 15"" @
7:40pm

Plan on going to a Fringe
Fest event? Write a review, write
a complaint, write a rant, and let
us know what you think of this
year’s offerings. Contact arts@
theotherpress.ca and have your voice
heard.