It’s the final weekend of Fringe which for me means squeezing in a few more shows before the festival is over! I have seen such incredible work, and it’s only been one third of what’s actually on offer!

Inside – Inside-on-the-Run Productions

Art is meant to evoke emotion and thought, but when it makes us question our deepest selves, we often seek outside opinions…just not normally from the star of the film in question. Sky Gilbert’s latest creation, Inside, is a fascinating look at what happens when the lines between life and art start to blur.

Inside is about Tom, a seemingly harmless man who is confronting a man outside of a club about a film the man was in which he says affected him deeply. The man is Ryan, a porn star, who kindly continues to talk to Tom as Tom sorts out his feelings about an art film Ryan starred in. Ryan attempts to help guide Tom through his journey, adding sage advice along the way. The initial awkward tension of the piece eventually gives way to understanding and empathy between the characters. I truly didn’t know how Inside was going to end, but I was delighted by the acceptance and compassion shown.

Johnathan Wilson (of Blake and Clay fame) stars as Tom alongside Ryan Russell, who does star in adult films. This fascinating duo made for perfect casting for Gilbert’s story, and I thought they were entertaining and lots of fun to watch.

Inside was a fascinating look at what being a man, and in particular a gay man, can mean and asks if our urges define us or are they merely one part of a whole being? Gilbert doesn’t shy away from these difficult questions, making his productions captivating. For more info on this production, visit: Inside | Toronto Fringe Festival (fringetoronto.com)

Curious K Explores the Paleozoic – Kenton & Lise Productions

A school trip to the ROM gets turned upside down when Olivia and Emma find an old exhibit tucked away in a hidden room. When the exhibit gets activated, the robot Curious K takes them on a fun and educational journey to the dawn of life on Earth. Fun for the entire family, Curious K Explores the Paleozoic is an awesome story about friendship, has catchy tunes, and hey, you’ll probably learn something too!

Curious K Explores the Paleozoic has a sort of “Night at the Museum” mixed with “Magic School Bus” vibes as Emma and Olivia not only learn interesting facts about the early beginnings of evolution, but also learn about themselves. I loved the focus on learning styles, as that certainly wasn’t often discussed when I was in school. As they journey through time they also open up and become better friends to one another, and to their new friend Curious K.

Creator Kenton Blythe stars as Curious K, all bedazzled in silver paint and an incredible hairdo. Jada Rifkin and Brianna Love star as Olivia and Emma respectively. All three are energetic, engaging performers who know how to keep an audience hooked.

This show was so much fun and I’m so glad I was able to catch it at Fringe this year! I hope you did too! For all the information, check out: Curious K Explores the Paleozoic | Toronto Fringe Festival (fringetoronto.com)

The Will of a Woman – Diamond Heart Productions

The Spadina Museum was host to a unique, immersive production with The Will of a Woman. Written by Steven Elliot Jackson and directed by Shan Fernando, this true story is brought to life by a talented cast and set in a perfect venue for such a story. This show was sold out before the Fringe Festival even began and certainly deserves that level of excitement!

The Will of a Woman is about Elizabeth Bethume-Campbell and her struggles with the legal system after she discovers that her mother’s estate has been mismanaged for decades. Her battles in the all-boys-club of the Canadian justice system end up taking her all the way to the Privy Council in England before her case is properly heard. We get to go from room to room in the beautiful Spadina Museum as we journey along with Elizabeth and her groundbreaking legal battle.

Helming this awesome cast is Madryn McCabe as Elizabeth. She gives her character a tenacity which you cannot help but love, and really gets us on her side throughout the play. Jim Armstrong plays both Elizabeth’s husband Thomas and lawyer Arthur, giving passionate performances as both characters. Jade Dunlop gives delightful performances as Elizabeth’s sister Cora and friend Susan; she ensured Cora’s distain at our being in her home was understood and it made us laugh every time. Thomas Gough is fantastic as Hogg, the man who’s been swindling Elizabeth’s family; he’s the type of villain we love to hate. Rounding out the cast, and giving an impressive performance, is Gregory Watts who plays the judges Elizabeth faces along with Hogg’s boss. The whole cast works excellently together to tell this story and the whole thing feels so seamless.

Jackson does such an amazing job of giving life to stories we otherwise wouldn’t know about, and it makes me fall in love with his work more and more with every play I see. I’m extra thankful that I got to see The Will of a Woman and I truly hope it can get a remount at the Spadina Museum or another historic location! For more information on this production, visit: The Will of a Woman | Toronto Fringe Festival (fringetoronto.com)