All posts by Lin Young

Lin Young is a PhD candidate in the English Department at Queen’s University by day, an insatiable theatre-goer by night. She truly loves seeing innovative indie theatre, the strange sort of hole-in-the-wall shows that big companies would never take a risk on. She’s seen plays in basements, gardens, bars, and in old dilapidated houses, to name a few. She’s always on the lookout for the next theatrical experiment in the city, and loves seeing shows that have some quality of fantasy, historicity, or strangeness to them – especially if they involve puppets! She tweets about theatre, comics and the 19th century at @linkeepsitreal.

Sarah and Lucy – Toronto Fringe 2019 Press Release

From Press Release:

SARAH AND LUCY

Thelma and Louise gone funny , except these two have an RV and the only

thing that hangs off a cliff at the end is their friendship

Megan Jeannette Smith–Actor, NYC

Inspired by the acclaimed television series, Trailer Park Boys, Irena takes the two main female characters who normally would be relegated to very minor and uni-dimensional roles and gives them a platform. “ It’s also loosely based on a personal break up with a best friend. “says Irena.

This project started as a suggestion by Irena`s mentor and former New York acting teacher Belinda Mello.“It was disappointing to see two female characters on a successful television series be nothing but arm candy for the boys. This play is a response to that. There is definitely a Me Too feel about it “ says, Belinda. In November 2017 a reading in Manhattan was held under Belinda’s supervision. Belinda has continued to oversee the development of Sarah and Lucy for the 2019 Toronto Fringe production. Future workshops are set for next fall.

``One thing that surprised me about this project was that I found myself rehearsing the show in my dreams. I never did that before.“- Irena mentions.

This is the first time actors Nicole Fairbairn and Irena Huljak have teamed up. Nicole says “Rehearsals are hilarious. We need to recollect ourselves constantly“. Nicole loves using improvisation in rehearsals. Nicole also has worked on The Trailer Park Boys set. “I didn’t think that would come in so handy later, but has it ever“.

Nicole Fairbairn has appeared in Tower (an official selection at MoMa for new films) Irena Huljak : Toronto Fringe hits such as Ruby Shakespeare Wars, Soccer Shakespeare and her one-woman show to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008.

Company Name: Runnaway Hotel Kollective in association with The Toronto Fringe Festival

Written by Irena Huljak

Cast Nicole Fairbairn and Irena Huljak

Featuring Nicole Fairbairn

Stage Manager and Lighting Milena Fera

PUMP! – Toronto Fringe 2019 Press Release

From Press Release:

Toronto Fringe Festival and Cat and the Queen presents the world premiere of

PUMP!

Written and Performed by Cat and the Queen Directed by Bri Proke

Cat and the Queen is the brainchild of singer/songwriter/theatre artist, Cat Montgomery. Cat, through all of her creative pursuits, aims to use strengths gained from personal experiences to empower all individuals in times of struggle. Through live music and imaginative storytelling, PUMP! takes the audience on a journey through the difficult yet relatable themes of over consumption in regards to booze, food, loneliness and love. Indie film & theatre creator Bri Proke (Blood Pact Theatre/Grand Canyon) is dipping her toes into the world of directing to help actualize Cat’s experiences, and together this dynamic duo has created a piece you won’t want to miss at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival.

PUMP! is inspired by personal experiences and hardships, and also includes music off her latest EP, Heart For A Ride. This rock-anthem performance explores the need for connection, the sense of expectations on one’s self and the private vs. public persona; what’s really going on behind that filtered Instagram post? Many of us are a part of the global epidemic of escaping our lives through our curated online presence, but what happens when you strip that all away?

Expect the following: comedy, cabaret, music, heartbreak, battle cats, and of course, Patrick Swayze. PUMP! is a charged, raw, and playful piece that will transform THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE into an intergalactic musical playground, complete with the magic of storytelling, projections, and sweet sweet live music.

Cat and the Queen presents the World Premiere of PUMP! at Toronto Fringe Festival, July 4-13, 2019
Starring Cat Montgomery Directed by Bri Proke
Produced by Emma Bulpin
Set design by Jessica Whyte Lighting design by Imogen Wilson Projections by Nathan Schwartz

July 4 @ 6:15pm | July 6 @ 2:30pm | July 7 @ 5:45pm | July 9 @ 8pm | July 10 @ 4:30pm | July 12 @ 10:45pm | July 13 @ 6:45pm
Theatre Passe Muraille – 16 Ryerson Ave. www.catandthequeen.ca

Lexi and the Flying b’s – Toronto Fringe 2019 Press Release

From Press Release:

Birdbrain Productions presents

Lexi and the Flying b’s

Toronto, ON (June 5, 2019) Lexi is 9 years old. She loves everything about science, the joy of running, and of course her grandmother Yaya. What she doesn’t love is reading. Lexi has dyslexia, and that makes reading especially difficult for her.  Max is Lexi’s friend. Max loves running too and is a great reader but is far too shy to ever do it out loud. Lexi and Max need a perfect topic for their Science Fair Project. Maybe those medals on Yaya’s wall will give them an idea.

Lexi and the Flying b’s was created by Joan Jamieson of Leslieville as part of the initial Dawning Series at Solar Stage. It was workshopped during the 2018-19 season and dramaturged there by Dahlia Katz and Emmaclaire Brightlynn.

Joan’s most recent Fringe show was Downtown Jay, the huge hit at Kidsfest 2016. In the role of Lexi is Marina Gomes, Yaya is played by Erica Kindl and Max by Mackenzie Kelly. It is directed by Sara Flicht and stage managed by Duaa Zahra.

Lexi and the Flying b’s is the perfect Kidsfest show for 5 – 10 year olds who love bees, who have a special relationship with a grandparent, or who struggle with reading and making friends.

All performances are at the George Ignatieff Theatre.  Thursday July 4 at 1:00 pm; Saturday July 6th at 3:00 pm; Sunday July 7th at 12:00 pm; Monday July 8 at 4:45 pm; Wednesday July 10 at 2:15 pm; Thursday July 11th at 11:00 am; Saturday July 13 at 3:45 pm. Please note that there is no latecomer seating, but that as this is a Kidsfest show, trips to the bathroom are okay.

The show runs approximately 45 minutes with no intermission.

TICKETS: www.fringetoronto.com or at the door. Tickets are $5.00 for children and $13 for adults.  Sales begin June 6 2019.

Review: The Importance of Being Earnest (Alumnae Theatre)

Gwendolyn and CEcilyOscar Wilde’s “trivial comedy for serious people” arrives on the Toronto stage

The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s most beloved play (and also, coincidentally, the play that was running during his infamous trial, which caused it to close early back in 1895). It’s easy to see why it’s his most famous theatrical work: it’s a sparkling, witty, joyously silly romp that playfully lampoons Victorian society’s preoccupations with convention, appearances, sexuality and marriage.

Continue reading Review: The Importance of Being Earnest (Alumnae Theatre) →

Daily Picks from our Raves at the Toronto Fringe 2018 (July 12th)

image saying daily raves

Only a few days left of the Toronto Fringe Festival! As the days dwindle, we still have some raves of fabulous shows left to highlight from our extensive list of reviews of every show in the festival. Which shows are you going to prioritize in the next few days? Hopefully we can help, as today’s rave feature Canadian fairy tales, intergalactic hippos, and spirit-rapping!

Continue reading Daily Picks from our Raves at the Toronto Fringe 2018 (July 12th) →