PLAYBOT: Fringe held over!
Well, that was fun.
More than 133,200 tickets were sold to Fringe plays this year. Imagine if we could see those numbers all year. Time now to plug the Fringe Holdovers – worthy, proven, curated productions that will enjoy a few more shows in the coming week, while giving Fringe fans much-needed relief from the Dreaded Post Fringe Letdown Disorder (DPFLD).
The shows will be running in two theatres in the heart of Old Strathcona: the Westbury in the Arts Barns, and at the Varscona Theatre across the street.
A Lesson in Brio (Aug. 28-31 at 7 pm, Sept. 1 at 2 pm and 7 pm, Varscona) – Stewart Lemoine is Edmonton’s greatest playwright. He has written 70 plays that paint a vivid picture of his fantastical yet pleasant wordview. His first work premiered at the Edmonton Fringe 37 years ago. Now he presents something he’s never done before – a “valedictory,” of sorts, of a life’s work, a series of insightful vignettes, and a courageous step for the legendary playwright. A decent and shy man in person, Lemoine exhibits a lot of what is important to him in this hour of brilliant theatre – what has driven him and the forces that shape his work. Colin MacLean sez: 5 out of 5! READ FULL REVIEW
Balls of Yarns (Aug 29 at 9 pm and Aug. 31 at 7 pm, Westbury) – Florida singer-songwriter Paul Strickland presents a weirdly compelling musical comedy filled with poetry and humour.
Flute Loops (top photo, Aug. 30 at 7 pm, and Sept. 1 at 9 pm, Wesbury) – This is billed as a “subatomic pop opera,” with both music and quantum physics on stage in what is said to be a “quirky, quarky musical comedy.” You might learn something!
For Science! (Aug 31 at 9 pm, and Sept. 1 at 7 pm, Westbury) – Sure seems to be a lot of science at the Fringe this year. There’s a lot of lively audience participation offered in this celebration of “scientific method” to ask important questions – like why can’t we resist popping bubble wrap? She blinded me with SCIENCE!
Gordon’s Big Bald Head (Aug 29-30, 9 pm, Varscona) – These are three of the best male comedy actors and improvisers to come from Edmonton: Ron Pederson (who once starred in MAD-TV), Jacob Banigan (who now lives in Berlin and made a special trip back to his hometown for the Fringe) and Mark Meer (star of stage and video game screen, and of numerous Fringe shows this year). Once the gifted acolytes of the great Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie, these guys have since made their own path and gone their own way. There’s a song in there somewhere.
The Real Inspector Hound (Aug. 28 at 9 pm, and Aug. 31 at 9 pm, Varscona) – A well-acted, hilarious Victorian farce is presented by Edmonton’s Bright Young Things troupe, who shine in a rollicking whodunit by Tom Stoppard. Another 5 OUT OF 5 from Colin MacLean. READ FULL REVIEW
Sirens (Sept. 1, 9 pm, Varscona) – The sure hand of Edmonton musical theatre master Kate Ryan leads this crackling production – a tale of “what if” the mermaids from Greek mythology survived to become modern women of the 21st Century – complete with their (presumably waterproof) cellphones. Great fun. READ FULL REVIEW HERE
Whiteface (Aug. 29, 7 pm, and Aug. 30 at 9 pm, Westbury) – Highly-praised physical theatre show that uses movement, satire and masks to explore deep Canadian issues.
TICKETS for Westbury shows here; Varscona shows here
PLAYBOT takes a Holiday
Walking around the Fringe as a crudely-constructed corrugated plastic promotional robot did not draw the reaction I anticipated. The biggest impact was on small children – and they can’t read.
Some were so scared they cried. PlayBot backed away slowly, and safely. “DOOT! DOOT! DOOT! DOOT!” Many parents encouraged their fearful kids to say hello or pose for a picture. Many did. So did a lot of grown-ups. Tourists. PlayBot secretly hoped his appearance at the Fringe would “go viral.”
PlayBot was equipped with a cheap Halloween voice changer from Party City that makes weird echo effects, so I suppose it was a little scary. “HELLO, HU-MAN!” [tick tick tick tick] “ARE YOU ENJOYING THE [tick tick tick tick, EEEEEEEEE] EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL?” Most just stared in response.
PlayBot peruses the play-wall for something to see, laments he cannot fit through the door of the theatre
One little girl no more than two pretended to be a dinosaur – in keeping with the “Fringe-o-saurus Rex” theme – and came at me. The exchange went like this:
“Rarrrr!”
“[Robot voice] AH!” [Backs up slowly]
“Hee hee hee, RARRR!”
“AHH!”
“RARRRR!!”
“AHHH!!”
For about two minutes. It was adorable.
An older boy said, “I know that’s just a costume!”
PlayBot converses with Shirtless Roller Blading Guitar Playing Guy – or ‘Arthur,’ as he likes to be called
“NO IT’S NOT! DON’T BREAK THE FOURTH WALL!” He had no idea what I was talking about. The fourth wall in this case is made of sturdy plastic – which is fortunate because another kid kicked me and ran away. People would also want to fist bump, which I didn’t understand until I realized they mistook me for the inflatable robot from Big Hero 6. Others thought I was Awesome-O from South Park.
“DOES THIS ROBOT MAKE MY BUTT LOOK BIG?”
Fringe artists were encouraged to drop their fliers into PlayBot’s slot, for instant reviews: “[tick tick tick tick] 5 OUT OF 5!” – and my five star eyes made from Dollar Store sunglasses would flash.
“Oh, that feels good!” said one artist.
“Will this be in print?” asked another.
I felt sad, “I’m sorry, Dave, I can’t do that …”
PlayBot dispenses instant 5 STAR reviews to Fringe artists
On several days PlayBot would walk (at approximately 0.1 km/h) up and down the main midway, accosting HU-MANS, and trying to be quiet around the real street performers. By the end of the week, I was literally coming apart at the seams, one arm off, cheap electronics malfunctioning. I started walking into poles, talking to bank machines, and squeaking and groaning with every movement, while spouting Marvin lines from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy – “I think you ought to know I’m feeling very depressed.”
Since the star lights crapped out, Fringe artists were encouraged to tape fliers to me, so soon I looked like a walking playboard. Because it was hot and painful and slow (kudos to anyone who works in a costume), PlayBot would often stop to rest, and think [tick tick tick tick] while vibrating up and down.
“Daddy!” cried a little kid, running away, “It’s going to explode!”
FATAL ERROR. END PROGRAM.
