Author Archives: Ed Sum

09.06.16
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After #yjjfringe30 the Stage Musical Effie & The Vampire Can Be A Sweet Halloween Treat

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My last day of the 2016 Victoria Fringe Festival was spent at Langham Court Theatre, taking on three shows during the mid afternoon and spilling into the evening. The transition could not be any more apt with a fun loving cabaret style melodrama, Effie & The Vampire, A Lesbianistic Musical by Dragon Monkey Theatre.

This show is on my list of must see again because of all the fun I see put into this production. It can easily be brought back as a Halloween treat for theatregoers wanting more variety in the arts offered in this city during this season. Between the big three – Kaleidoscope, Launch Pad and RKO Productions – to have an addition to will most likely be appreciated.

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09.05.16
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Urban Arts Productions Return with [Title of Show] and their Future after #yyjfringe30

14231373_1238086086212450_6727287945412331739_oWhen I first saw [Title of Show] years ago during the Victoria Fringe Festival, I was hooked on a feeling. Urban Arts Productions is a wonderful collective of talents, and while they seemingly have disappeared from previous year’s schedules, that’s only because this celebration selects its shows through lottery. Not every company is lucky to be able to perform every year and apparently, they took a break because those days jobs were really paying the bills. True to this story, to be a full time actor-director-playwright is tough. To see this group regroup and to perform again (with recognizable talents on board) only reveals how they have has grown and to stay a fixture in this city’s arts scene.

I like to see them perform independently from the Fringe, and they can certainly bring the house down. This musical was one great show to end the 2016 Victoria Fringe Festival with, and according to Pat Rundell, the founder of this collective, they are back and are developing new shows.

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09.05.16
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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’16] Afterthoughts on Everlast & Its Future as a Show

Everlast-ITC.jpgFringe Festivals offers many an entertainer to experiment. Some shows have an afterlife where it becomes a sensation, and other shows might pitter out, to be forgotten. Everlast by Kevin Koch is a work in progress, where this creator eventually wants to take it on tour. Even he admits that it needs refining.

In what I’ve seen in the final weekend of the 2016 Victoria Fringe Festival, there’s a great seed of an idea; to challenge world views from not only within organized religion but also in how people see life. After having two random encounters with “missionaries” in my neighbourhood looking to spread the word and me expressing to them that I have my own world views to follow and I do not need theirs, going to this show could not be timelier.

The show is rough at the edges, like it’s mirroring the soul of Marty (or Pope Martin VI) on purpose. He’s come from a tough life. He grew up in the tough streets and has Rocky Balboa and his mother as inspiration. This character might have said he’s from Philadelphia, but as with any sermon I tend to hear, in one ear and out the other (unfortunately).

Just how Marty managed to achieve residency and move up the papacy is almost a head-scratcher. He boxed his way to the top. God, on the other hand, is a timeless character and I liked the fact that Koch’s interpretation is very Old Testament. I was more engaged with his fight with Lucifer. How can anyone not want to miss this match?

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09.04.16
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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’16] Best not to Miss Best Picture!

BP 2x2LOCATION:
Metro Studio Theatre
1411 Quadra Street
Victoria, BC

SHOWTIMES:
Sun Sept 4 – 3:15pm

Coming to Vancouver Fringe Festival beginning September 9, at Performance Works (1218 Cartwright Street)

Movie-buffs will love the send-up, mash-up, mix-up and show down of Ribbit RePublic’s take of the Academy Awards Best Picture(s) from the past century. All the winners, including Birdman gets acknowledged. Many films are lampooned into a tightly packed fun-filled hour which includes nerdy moments which had me broadly grinning. I’m glad that the list of films also included those that did not quite made the cut (had this been an awards show), and yes, the Star Wars enthusiast in me was loving it!

Sadly, Star Trek did not get a nod (this coming week marks their 30th anniversary) but was that ever considered Oscar-winning material? According to Tara Travis, Jon Paterson and Kurt Fitzpatrick, apparently not. That’s okay. They at least acknowledged Lord of the Rings — Jon and Kurt worked together to play the polar composite sides of Gollum aka Sméagol from Peter Jackson’s cinematic version, and Great Scott! they even acknowledged Back to the Future too! That was not on the list. I did not expect them to follow the script exactly, and as for whether there was even one, I could not tell!

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08.31.16
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[Victoria Fringe Festival 2016] There’s Plenty of Bananas with Bushel and Peck

Bushel-Peck-ITCLOCATION:
Metro Studio Theatre
1411 Quadra Street
Victoria, BC

VENUE:
Fri Sept 2 – 5:00pm
Sat Sept 3 – 10:15pm
Sun Sept 4 – 5:45pm

For future shows, please visit stephaniemorinrobert.com for updates.

Bushel and Peck is definitely a Fringe Theatre original; there’s no easy way to classify what this show is largely about and it is a very experimental product. There’s absurdist comedy, dance choreography, experiments with light and pantomime. Neither dominates and there’s a great set piece involving a balloon. Other props used include blow dryers and a sheet of plywood. Just how it works shows how well two diverse talents — Alastair Knowles (James & Jamesy) and Stéphanie Morin-Robert (Blindside, For Body and Light) — are comfortable together on stage. Both are highly regarded Canadian performers. When considering they are in a relationship, just what this show reveals is how close they have become to observers — the audience. Each of them come from a specific type of arts, Stephanie in dance and Alastair from clown school.

Together, especially on stage, they have an undeniable chemistry that’s to be adored.

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08.31.16
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Part and Parcel Hits Home & Out of the Park!

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Part and Parcel
2656 Quadra Street
Quadra Village
Victoria, BC
(778) 406-0888

Quadra Street Village keeps on changing with the times and my pal, James Shaw, is being left behind. That is, he does not keep up with what’s happening here as much. I’m here a bit more often than he because this particular Fairway Market is the largest operation out of those I’ve been to (unlike others, and before Shelbourne got theirs built, they have a fully functional kitchen) and Epic Games is here. With Pokémon GO being all the rage, I have reason to be here more often. It’s a Clefairy paradise, and I was smitten with love for the newest eatery to set up shop here. On this special occasion, the Victoria Fringe Festival is taking place with The Roxy aka Blue Bridge Theatre as an official venue, and I knew I had to return to this particular establishment!

Part and Parcel is aptly named for daily specials that can easily be packed up for lunch later on or to eat on the go. I was greeted with a smile, since I was recognized as not being a regular, and the service was great even on a busy day. Their menu often changes, so like hunting Pokémon, what you find coming back does not necessarily have to be the same ol’ same ol’.

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