Our Favourite Picks of the Fringe 2014

We’ve made a list, we’ve checked it twice. Check out Our Favourite Picks of the Fringe 2014, in no particular order, to see what performances we’ve particularly dug so far, and think you might too for your last Fringy weekend. These were chosen based on general all-around enjoyment, intrigue, the desire to see the piece developed further, as well as notable execution.

These are also picks that aren’t entirely sold-out for the weekend. We have to give a special nod to: Pea Green Theatre Group’s Three Men in a Boat, The Howland Company’s 52 Pick-Up, Theatre Awakening’s Chasing Margaret Flatwood, Paper Plaid Productions’ Confessions of a Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl and Criminal Theatre’s True, all of which blew us away, as well. You can always try to line-up for these shows but also try to be bold and see a show you may have not heard much about.

Also, sad the Fringe is drawing to a close? Fear not! Fringe will not be totally over after Sunday. You can catch Three Men in a Boat, 52 Pick-Up and even some of our picks below at the Best of Fringe: http://www.tocentre.com/bestoffringe2014

Is there are performance that you think we’ve missed? Let us know via Facebook or Twitter and we’ll be sure to check it out for our own closing weekend line-up! Happy Final Weekend of Fringing, Friends!

An Ode to Dyads

An Ode to Dyads presented by Fishbowl Collective

Running only at 30 minutes, this is definitely a piece I would love to see developed into a longer show. I didn’t want it to end. Delightful, funny, moving, simple. An Ode to Dyads is something really special that you shouldn’t miss out on. – Hallie

Two beings. Doomed to forever repeat their existence in a strange and disquieting world where chairs are loyal companions, exalted French poets dictate emotion, and narrative is swallowed by metaphysical clowns. This is an original piece, conceived and presented at the 2014 Paprika Festival.

Where: Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace

When: Saturday July 12th at 5:45pm

All in the Timing

A series of short plays by David Ives create a wonderful and charming piece of comedy. Transitions are slick while the actors are present, committed and honest. The world of each play is completely unique. – Bailey

With a mix of the works of a comedic genius and some local improv talent, you’ll be be glad you took the time to come and see “All in the Timing.” With the “Words, Words, words” of David Ives creating “The Universal Language” of comedy originating in “The Philadelphia,” it’s a “Sure Thing” that you’ll discover the reason for “The Death of Trotsky.”

All in the Timing presented by Miller’s Son and From the Oven

By: David Ives

Director: Jonathan Dufour and Mikhael Melnikoff

Where: St Vlad’s Theatre

When: July 12 @ 3:30pm 

The Assassination of Robert Ford: Dirty Little Coward

The Assassination of Robert Ford: Dirty Little Coward is a fun trip through the Old West featuring great original music and charismatic performances. Meet outlaws, heroes and an infamous assassin in this cautionary tale about inflated infamy, and what seeking revenge really gets you in the end. – Madryn

Tell me about your anger.

Does it burn inside you, threatening to destroy everything you have?

Has it turned you cold, frozen you in place and made you unable to change?

Or did you just want to be entertained?

The Assassination of Robert Ford: the dirty little coward presented by Still Your Friend

Directed and Written by: Adam Bailey

Where: Theatre Passe Muraille Mainspace

When: July 12 @ 11:00pm or catch it at The Toronto Centre for the Arts as part of Best of Fringe: http://fringetoronto.com/fringe-festival/best-of-fringe-2014/ 

Everything is Fine…

Witty. Relevant. A guaranteed laugh from start to finish. The cast takes sketch comedy to another level and then some. A definite must see. – Brittany

Everything is Fine… A show about convincing people your skin isn’t melting. Eight Second City Conservatory graduates come together under the guidance of Fringe favourite and CCA nominee Ken Hall (2-MAN NO-SHOW) for a truly immersive experience. Join this cast of humans on a twisted, hilarious and emotional ride, and remember, EVERYTHING IS FINE…

Everything is Fine, presented by Haggard Bitch Productions

Directed by: Ken Hall

Written by: Gillian Anderson, Gillian Bartolucci, Kristie Gunter, Ted Hambly, Steve Hobbs, Marshall Lorenzo, Nicky Nasrallah, Allana Reoch

Where: Tarragon Main

When:

July 13 at 07:30 PM

jem rolls: ONE MAN TRAFFIC JAM 

jem rolls engages his audience in a way I have never seen. From start to finish his poetry mesmerizes. You can lose yourself in the tangle of words as jem rolls guides you through a wildly creative expression of his own mind. Funny and poignant, grotesque and beautiful. – Bailey

Farce-fetched poetic comedy. Where a London bus burns red with a blinding row between Compassion, Apathy & RoadRage. Do we humans get the best sex of all species?

“Highest calibre…Genius” Montreal Gazette *****.

“High performance master” Winnipeg Free Press *****.

You’re never alone with compassion.

jem rolls presented by big word performance poetry

By: jem rolls

Where: Tarragon Extraspace

When:

July 12 at 01:45 PM

Licking Knives

 

Melanie Hyrmak invites her audience in with confidence, kindness and wry humour. The story is powerful and relevant. The text is fresh and complex. You’re left wanting more, and yet completely satisfied. – Bailey & Hallie

Exploring the themes of identity and self-determination, this a darkly funny story is told by a confident, confused, indignant young woman who decides to leave home in the spring of 1939. It is a journey that will take you across Europe from a stick in the Ukrainian mud to the City of Lights.

Licking Knives presented by Headstrong Collective 

By: Melanie Hyrmak

Where: Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace 

When:

July 12 @ 2:45

July 13 @ 5:45

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Razor-sharp wit paired with clear intentions and strong direction makes for wickedly awesome Shakespeare. The cast of 16 embraced their roles and brought distinct, unique characters to life. Pure entertainment. – Bailey

Join your favourite Best of Fringe winning Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare BASH’d, as they tackle Shakespeare’s zany masterpiece of wit: Love’s Labour’s Lost. The King and his three gentlemen have sworn off women for three years of study, until the Princess and her three ladies come to the court… Will their vow be forsworn or will love overcome?

Love’s Labour’s Lost presented by Shakespeare Bash’d

Directed by: James Wallis

Where: Victory Café, 581 Markham St

When:

July 12 at 07:00 PM

July 13 at 05:00 PM

Potosí

Potosí is some of the best theatre I’ve seen. Gripping, raw, strong writing and even stronger acting. Special mention of Nicole Wilson as LeBlanc. She’s a bold risk taker, and it pays off every time. – Madryn 

A young emissary from a Canadian mining corporation is sent to a remote country to investigate reports of sexual violence at the mine. As civil war rages, she is taken hostage at gunpoint by a former miner. A psychological game of cat-and-mouse ensues in this darkly funny parable on colonialism, gender, and greed. Winner of the Fringe Best New Play Contest

Potosí presented by Good Old Neon

Written and directed by: Alexander Offord

Where: Tarragon Main

When: July 13 at 05:15 PM 

Punch Up 

Kat Sandler has been getting a lot of attention over the past couple years and with this new one she’s really hit her stride. We were rolling in our seats with laughter, the characters and actors took themselves far from seriously (in a good way) and I’ve been quoting it for days. – Shaina

A lonely loser kidnaps his favourite comedian to win the heart of the saddest girl in the world. From Kat Sandler and Theatre Brouhaha, creators of sold-out hits Delicacy (NNNN, NOW Magazine), We Are The Bomb (NNNNN), and 2012 Patrons’ Pick and Best of Fringe show Help Yourself comes a dark comedy about the twisted lengths we’ll go to for a laugh.

Punch Up, presented by Theatre Brouhaha

Directed and Written by: Kat Sandler

Where: George Ignatieff Theatre

When: July 13 at 03:30 PM OR catch it at The Toronto Centre for the Arts as part of Best of Fringe: http://fringetoronto.com/fringe-festival/best-of-fringe-2014/

Roller Derby Saved My Soul

This was one of the most enjoyable hours I’ve spent at the Fringe (and that includes Fringe Tent hours, friends). Believe the hype. Nancy Kenny is charming, charismatic and sharp. Loved it. – Hallie

Comics, fandom and the struggles of the introvert. In a world of tropes, one woman gets off the couch and unleashes the hero within. 

Roller Derby Saved My Soul presented by Broken Turtle Productions

Written & performed by: Nancy Kenny

Where: Tarragon Extra Space

When: July 12 at Noon
** THIS IS ON A FRINGE TOUR! SO TELL YOUR OUT OF TOWN FRIENDS TO CATCH IT AT THEIR LOCAL FESTIVAL.**