Fringe Fest Flyer (07/29)

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In today's program, I spoke with Jon Lachlan Stewart, writer and star of the one-man drama Big Shot. I was particularly impressed by his obvious passion for producing serious theatre within the Fringe format. Given that he was part of the creative team behind last year's Death: Live! (one of my favorites from the 2010 Fringe), I really looking forward to checking out his show. (As an aside, I'm also anticipating that I'll enjoy Twenty Five, which was written by another Death: Live! alumnus.)

I also interviewed the always affable Jayson MacDonald, who is back in Saskatoon with his beloved hit play Giant Invisible Robot. Having seen Jayson's theatrical outings at the last three Fringe festivals, I'm quite interested to see G.I.R., as it was the first piece that he wrote for the Fringe circuit and, based on our interview, it sounds like many of the idiosyncratic stylistic touches that have come to characterize his later plays were first explored in this show. Intriguing!

Giant Invisible Robot (Playing at the Broadway Theatre)
Fri July 29 - 9:10pm
Sun July 31 - 3:50pm
Mon Aug 1 - 6:40pm
Wed Aug 3 - 3:30pm
Fri Aug 5 - 5:20pm
Sat Aug 6 - 10pm

Big Shot (Playing at the Victoria School Upstairs Auditorium)
Fri July 29 - 4:50pm
Sat July 30 - 8:10pm
Sun July 31 - 4pm
Mon Aug 1 - 8:10pm
Tues Aug 2 - 10pm
Sat Aug 6 - 10pm

Fringe Fest Flyer (07/28)

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In today's show, I interviewed the eminently charming Rob Gee, writer and star of Rat Bag. If you're interesting in seeing his show, it's playing at the Cosmo Seniors' Centre at the following times:
Thurs July 28 - 8:30 pm
Sat July 30 - 5:10 pm
Sun July 31 - 10:00 pm
Tues Aug 2 - 6:40 pm
Thurs Aug 4 - 5:00 pm
Sat Aug 6 - 2:20 pm

I also spoke with the CFCR Review Crew (which consists of Nicole Marcoux, Andrew Keith, and myself) about our reflections on the PotashCorp Fringe Fest's Preview Night - wherein each company is given the promotional opportunity to present a two-minute snippet from their shows to a live audience. Given the challenges of the Preview Night format, which include the tight time constraints, the rudimentary tech, and the challenge of performing in a venue which may not be your own, I was favorably impressed by sheer number of acts that one or more of us found compelling, as well as the variance between our picks. Here's the breakdown:

Nicole:

• Bertha
• My Brother Sang Like Roy Orbison
• Oh, That Wily Snake!
• Twenty Five

Andrew:

• Big Shot
• Bertha
  
• Jem Rolls is PISSED OFF!
• My Brother Sang Like Roy Orbison
• The Sucker Punch
• The Wet Dream Catcher

Chris

• '33 (a kabarett)
• Giant Invisible Robot
• My Brother Sang Like Roy Orbison
• The Progressive Polygamists
• Rat Bag
• The Surprise

Fringe Fest Flyer (2011)

Hello Saskatoon!

After a year's hiatus from radio during my sojourn in Toronto (where I'm currently working towards my PhD), I am finally back in my beloved hometown... and just in time for this year's Fringe Festival! As always, it is a sincere pleasure to presented with the remarkable opportunity to interview performers, to review shows, and - for a short time - to eat, sleep and breathe Fringe!

Given that I take my job seriously, I promise to eat my hat if I fail to see all 34 productions in this year's lineup, as it is only with the knowledge derived from this process that I feel I can provide truly informed reviews and recommendations. Stay tuned to the blog to hear about my progress on this Quixotic theatrical mission.

See you on Broadway!