To Fringe, or not to Fringe – that is the question.
And thankfully, the answer is a simple and resounding yes. The Saskatoon Fringe is great fun, from the buskers on the streets to the shows on every stage.
So if you’re wondering what to see at the Fringe, and our first batch of reviews didn’t convince you, here’s round two! (And yes, there’s another five star review in here!)
5-Step Guide to Being German
What we loved: I don’t think I learned how to be more German, but Paco Erhard certainly had me laughing for most of his show.
Erhard is a fantastic standup comedian who knows how to work his audience. While most of the jokes targeted Erhard and his way of describing his fellow Germans, it was obvious he knows where he’s performing well. Humour at the expense of Winnipeg, of folks further out east in Canada, of our neighbours to the south and of Saskatchewanians themselves helped Erhard get out to an absolutely electrifying start.
He also showed that he’s not a proverbial one-trick pony. Some of Erhard’s quips come fast and almost unexpectedly, while others are built up throughout the one-hour show. It’s a great display of comedic chops that transcends country borders.
And the final message of the show — one of compassion and acceptance — felt like a thoughtful and not out-of-place bit of punctuation to end this otherwise very silly show.
What we didn’t love: The show got out to a flying start, but it does slow down in the middle. Erhard’s comedy leans on stereotypes and references in a way that isn’t cruel —he invites the audience to laugh with him, at him, and at themselves — but there were a few instances where the jokes were wearing themselves thin through repetition.
Erhard brings back the energy at the end, but we never quite get back to the slam-bang fireworks of an opening that had everyone howling in their seats.
Verdict: Paco Erhard is one of the funniest people you’re going to see at the Fringe. If the measure of a show is purely the laughter and joy you get from it, this was a solid offering for Saskatoon.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
– Matt Olson
***
Martin Dockery: Forbidden City!
What we loved: This is, as Dockery himself puts it, a show about beginnings — and he really emphasized that a lot.
It’s difficult to describe exactly what kind of theatrical experience this is, It’s certainly storytelling, and it’s certainly comedic — but Fringe veteran Dockery isn’t playing any character besides himself. Well, a version of himself that’s dialled up to an 11, anyways.
This show moves fast, it pulls no punches, it breaks through to the audience, and it revels in its absurdity. Without giving too much away, Dockery sets the scene immediately by redoing the start of the show a few times, and then he’s off to the races. It’s astounding that one man can have that much intense, in-your-face energy for a full hour, but Dockery pulls it off.
And the ending is a sweet surprise for the audience that does bring everything in the theme around full circle.
What we didn’t love: This isn’t a show that’s going to resonate for everyone, especially with the strange and repetitious theme built so deeply into the core of Dockery’s tale.
And the full 60-minute run time doesn’t help balance out the pacing. It’s also a show that’s relatable at a human level, but we really don’t get the payoff until the very end. If you aren’t a fan of Dockery’s intense style it might feel like a long wait to get to the satisfying conclusion.
Verdict: This is Dockery’s manic comedian dream vacation extravaganza and we are absolutely here for it. This review started by saying it’s difficult to describe Dockery’s style, and it might not be for every audience member — but it’s damn good theatre wrapped up in a loud and likeable package. Embrace this intense storytelling and check out a unique piece of Fringe.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
– Matt Olson
***
Evie & Alfie: A Very British Love Story
What We Loved: If you want to see a masterclass in a character duology, this is the show for you.
When we meet Evie and Alfie, they are together in the comfortable silence that comes from sharing the same space with another person for decades. The silence is broken through present moments where we experience their day-to-day existence, and through a series of flashbacks that encompass all the trials and tribulations of a life well lived. While there are many things that are British to this piece, the story fundamentally is a relatable one. The multi-generational Saturday night audience at the Broadway Theatre was very invested in this journey, awarding the performance a well-deserved standing ovation.
Alex Dallas and Jimmy Hogg are completely committed to Evie and Alfie’s story and they tell their tale with an honesty that allows the laughs to be plentiful while still packing an emotional punch with some very poignant moments.
What We Didn’t Love: Honestly, it is difficult to find fault with this production. To nit-pick, there are a couple of threads woven into the tale that aren’t fully resolved and there is a bit of predictability, but none of this detracts from the beauty of this relationship.
The Verdict: “Evie and Alfie: A Very British Love Story” is a simply staged, excellently executed piece in the hands of two masterful character actors. Their story reminds us that relationships aren’t easy, laughter can get us through difficult times and despite our best efforts promises can be hard to keep.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
– Lorna Batycki
***
CULTS
What we loved: Cults are a scary, real thing — and we often don’t realize how deadly. Blair Moro helps with that.
“CULTS” is a theatrical presentation of some of the world’s most terrifying cults and cult leaders. Created by Moro and helmed by Reba Terlson delivering these cult tales with an almost gleeful energy, it’s difficult not to be left aghast at some of the things you hear about real people and places in the world.
It has the vibe of a true crime podcast, as Terlson’s bright-voiced delivery and occasional quip helps keep you interested as dates, names and places whiz rapidly by. And Moro’s interjection bringing some of these conversations to a more real and personal place was also engaging.
What we didn’t love: After giving Moro’s show in last year’s Saskatoon Fringe a resounding five stars, I was expecting more from this new production. The topic of exploring cults around the world, and referencing them without subtlety to some current world leaders, is great Fringe fodder.
What was lacking here was deep, compelling storytelling. It didn’t help that Terlson, for all her obvious talents as a performer, was reading a lot of the script from behind a music stand. The show is already relatively dry, coming across more like a staged reading of a paper about infamous cults. But while the information about the cults was interesting, there was so much detail packed into this that could’ve been edited out without losing much.
And without spoiling anything, the impassioned protestations of the fear and isolation that sparks cults feels immediately at odds with the deadly way Terlson ends the show.
Verdict: There’s a little too much telling and not enough showing for this to be an exciting piece of in-person theatre. There’s a lesson to be learned from connecting these frightening cults to today’s politics, but it didn’t land with a lot of weight.
Rating: ★ ★ ✩ ✩ ✩
***
Honourable mention: Collaboration Company
A new Fringe offering this year, the Collaboration Company worked with aspiring artists aged 12 to 16 to put together a small, original show on the Fringe stage.
Admittedly, I walked into the show not realizing it was this limited-time youth production, but it was a lot of fun. A two-pack of original shows putting a modern twist on classic tales like The Three Little Pigs and Three Billy Goats Gruff was charming and entertaining.
While the production won’t get a full review, the Collaboration Company initiative definitely gets two thumbs up from us. Keep those young artists making art for a bright, Fringe-y future.
– Matt Olson
***
The Saskatoon Fringe Festival runs until August 8th. You can find more information at 25thstreettheatre.org.
