Toronto’s Fringe Fest is now in full swing, and it’s the largest one yet, with 148 shows in 35 venues. That’s a whole lotta theatre to wade through. Lucky for you, we’ve taken a perusal through this year’s lineup and cherry-picked some shows and events that might appeal to your little hearts, dear BP-ers. Click on the linked titles for more info and showtimes.
Firstly, we love plays in weird places, like alleys, and bathrooms, and bedrooms, and warehouses. We also love freaky circus shit. This event – being held in the Toronto Fringe Club in the Honest Ed’s Alleyway – definitely fits the bill. It’s an audio-visual cornucopia of bearded ladies, conjoined twins and contortionists. Freaks, come out to play tonight.
Part of Visual Fringe in Tent 6 (15 Devonshire Place), this program showcase the work of illustrators Jeff Mason and Anthony Haley, who are at the helm of the company Jeff-Smash Designs/Doodles Under the Influence. Originally conceived in art school, their projects explore elements of horror, comics and cartoons – all through the lens of an artist struggling to subsist.
The Business of Being An Artist
This is a Fringe tent talk, one of many free discussions where artists of all stripes are welcome to come to the Honest Ed’s tent and pick the brains of successful folks in the arts and theatre communities. Come with questions related to legality, taxes, incorporation and get all the answers you’ve ever wanted. With Derrick Chua (producer/entertainment lawyer), Heather Young (Young Associates) and Tova Epp (ArtBooks).
A story from the Montreal-based Quality Slippers Productions about a small town girl, living in a, dare we say, lonely world? This play was inspired by the music of Joni Mitchell and features puppetry, toy theatre, animation and live music, at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace (30 Bridgman Avenue.)
Alex Nussbaum’s Handbook to the Future: A Brave New Worrier
Directed by the wonderful comedian Pat Thorton and featuring the jokes, monologues and illustrations of Alex Nussbaum, exploring the implications of the future and technology. Tarragon Theatre Extra Space (30 Bridgman Avenue.)
Ever wondered about the origins of voguing, or the way people used to dance to house music? This performance will take you through the many eras of “underground social dances” against a backdrop of race, gender and historical implications. There WILL be audience participation. Suckas. Randolph Theatre (736 Bathurst.)
I dunno man, it’s a friggin’ Fringe show about Liza Minelli that’s “one part talk show, one part game show, one part cabaret”. Do you need to know more? I don’t think you do. Does she get vertigo like Lucille Austero? Will we share in the throaty laughter together? Get ready for a huge treat. Annex Theatre (736 Bathurst).
In between strutting boozily around Toronto telling people you are an act-ooooor whether or not that is true, please do try to get in some facetime at one of the many many many venues that are not just bars but that also have some performances happening. Support local theatre! Because, in a way, isn’t a play like a cocktail for the mind? Let’s get drunk on DRAMA. See you at the tent, I’ll be the one in the hat.