Get Your 2015 Fringe On: What We’re Excited For & Some Friendly Fringe-ing Advice
It’s that time of year again… Happy Opening to the 2015 Toronto Fringe! There are so many shows, so many artists, so many activities, so much of everything… how do you even start? We’ve compiled a list of some shows that we’re excited to check out as we kick off our Fringe-ing for the next two weeks, as well as a few events that have caught our eye. We also have a bit of friendly Fringe-ing advice on how to get the most out of your Fringe Fest experience.
As always, this is just a starting off point. Our number one advice is to try something new that might not have made its way on to all of these lists. Also, #ConnectWithUs via Facebook, Twitter & Instagram to let us know what else we should check out!
The Crowd Pleasers
Tried and true. These artists bring their A-game every time and we’re thrilled to have them back at the Fringe. Do. Not. Miss!:
Morro and Jasp Do Puberty, presented by Up your Nose and In your Toes (U.N.I.T) Productions – Tarragon Theatre Mainspace
Gavin Crawford: “Friend” “Like” #ME, presented by IdleMind Productions – Annex Theatre
Swordplay: A Play of Swords, presented by Sex T-Rex – Al Green Theatre
High Tea, presented by James & Jamesy – Randolph Theatre
Peter N’ Chris Present: Here Lies Chris, presented by Peter n’ Chris – Randolph Theatre
Caws & Effect, presented by Mind of a Snail Puppet Co. – Factory Theatre Mainspace
The Musicals
Is this the year of the new musical? Has the Fringe always been like this? Most likely. But whatever it may be, we’re super #intoit and these are the shows we are hoping to fill our hearts with song:
Summerland, presented by Wexford Performing Arts – Harbord Collegiate Institute
Adventures of a Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl, presented by Rebecca Perry Productions – Annex Theatre
People Suck, presented by Nutmeg Creations – Randolph Theatre
Rounding The Bend, presented by Out of the Blue Theatre Company – Robert Gill Theatre
I’m Right Here – A Song Cycle, presented by Victor Theatre Productions – Tarragon Mainspace
Deadmouse: The Musical, presented by Malach Productions – Al Green Theatre
The Classics
The Bard in a bar, twists on a classic or re-told with some sass by our favourite Shakespearean puppets, these are the “classics” we’re most excited for:
The Philanderess, presented by Truth ‘n’ Lies Theatre (inspired by G.B. Shaw’s The Philanderer“) – Annex Theatre
The Merry Wives of Windsor, presented by Shakespeare BASH’d – The Victory Cafe
Hamlet… A Puppet Epic! presented by Shakey-Shake and Friends – FringeKids! Club – George Ignatieff Theatre
Twelfe Night, or What You Will, presented by Ale House Theatre – St. Vladimir Theatre
The Storytellers
A refreshing way to mix up your Fringe schedule. Get personal. Go back to the basics. Connect to the storytellers. These folks have caught our eye and are sure to ignite your imagination. They’ll make you laugh. They’ll make you cry. They’ll make you groove. They’ll make you dinner? They’ll get you right in the feels:
In Case We Disappear, presented by Hopscotch on the Rocks – Tarragon Extraspace
The Untitled Sam Mullins Project, presented by Sam S. Mullins – Factory Theatre Mainspace
Graham Clark Reads The Phonebook, presented by Laugh Gallery – Factory Theatre Studio
Starry Notions, presented by Nefarious Projects – Annex Theatre
The Dinner Table, presented by Fail Better Theatre – 918 Bathurst St. (Downstairs Kitchen)
The Events:
– Tent Talks – Take your theatre-going experience to a whole new level. Delve deeper in to different topics surrounding the theatre ecology of Toronto and connect with local artists and experts to continue the discussion.
– Get Crafty – We are a BIG FAN of buttons and this year you can make your own! We’ll trade you for one of ours if you can find us in the tents! Or if cross stitching is more your game, that’s going on too! Find out more at The Fringe Club.
– Photo Booth – “Fringe Portrait Studio” is a new addition to the Fringe alley from Art is Hard, creators of the SMASH hit FLIP THE TABLE. “A participatory live art experience”. We’re game to check it out!
– Visual Fringe – Local artists gather and rotate every day in the Fringe alley. See some incredible artwork and met artisans that you can be-friend and support all year round. #buylocal #supportlocalartists
Our advice:
– Take care of yourselves! Drink water, wear your sunscreen and get your rest. It’s a marathon, friends. Hard-core Fringe-ing can wear you down. Winner lasts the full two weeks!
– Go in with an open mind and an open heart! Get in the spirit of the Fringe and go see something on whim. There is so much out there, why not try something new? It may surprise you.
– Be bold and say hello! Stuck in the Fringe tents in between shows? Why not approach a fellow Fringe-er and make a new friend! Talk about what you’ve seen. Talk about the work. Talk about the theatre you go to all-year-round. Get off those cell phones and connect!
