Day 2 of Fringe brought me another three fascinating shows to take in! I spent the day at Theatre Passe Muraille and was excited to once again see many familiar faces both in the audience and the Fringe Staff and volunteers. It truly is a community event!

Pretty Beast – Karate Chop Teriyaki Production

Kazu Kusano has been defying expectations for as long as she can remember: being funny, at times not very feminine, and then considered “not Asian enough” by casting directors, her journey through life has been a rocky one. Despite the adversities she’s faced, she’s also been able to shine light onto any situation. She takes us on this journey through her time with her parents, to starting an acting career in Tokyo, through to her stand-up career in LA in her solo show Pretty Beast. Equal parts hilarious and heartrending, Pretty Beast is proof that a little laughter can go a long way.

Kusano brings a unique and uplifting perspective to her story; while she openly talks about the darker times in her life, particularly when she was young, she also fondly speaks of more joyous times. This level of honesty and clarity about her past not only creates a great story, but also allows her comedy to really pack a punch. She’s also a very engaging story-teller, using her full physicality to represent the different characters throughout her tale. My favourite, by far, is the horrifying stories/realities that her grandmother would tell as bedtime stories; it becomes a touchstone throughout the performance and makes me laugh every single time.

Kusano’s charm and vivacity, along with her clear knack for comedy, make her a joy to watch. Her opening performance was sold out and it’s easy to see why! You definitely need to check out Pretty Beast; it’s reaffirming and inspirational in the best possible way, through laughter!

Pretty Beast | Toronto Fringe Festival (fringetoronto.com)

Gulp – Lady Luck

Hitting a breaking point, even with a friend, can feel life-ending. Sunday certainly feels that way in Gulp, written and performed by Frosina Pejcinovska and directed by William Dao. A twisty tale which takes us down one rabbit hole after another, we learn about Sunday and her best friend, as well as her not-so-professional relationship with her psychologist. This gripping solo show will have you on the edge of your seat.

Sunday met her best friend while she was working at a local grocery store in high school. The two became inseparable, even after school was finished. But as their lives changed, Sunday began to feel like her friend was relying just a little too much on her, both financially and emotionally. Confronted with some really difficult decisions, Sunday then finds herself quite alone…until she meets Doctor Champion that is. Through old voicemails, which play at random because her phone’s on the fritz, we learn more about her “friendship” and how her friend has been treating her for years. As patterns begin to emerge and we witness Sunday attempting to control her emotions, we get thrown one curveball after another until the lights go out.

Pejcinovska gives a stirring performance as Sunday. Her nuanced and complex performance reveals layer after layer of her character’s psyche. There’s perpetually this air of the uncanny throughout the performance, enhanced by Matt Lalonde’s sound design, and she plays so perfectly into it with her bright grin and a slight tilt of her head. She draws us in with her story, tugging on our empathy for her situation, only to subvert those feelings in the end.

Gulp is definitely one to see, especially if you love a good psychological thriller.

Gulp | Toronto Fringe Festival (fringetoronto.com)

The Delightful Chaos of Mistila and the Motlies – Down and Dirty Theatre Co.

Let’s go on a Quest! What’s the quest for?…We’re not too sure, but we’ll find it once we get there! Join Pinco Pallino and his friends as they endeavor to save the life of Mistila. The Delightful Chaos of Mistila and the Motlies is part magical journey, part social commentary, and overall a joy.

Mistila is world-weary. With so much happening at home and abroad, it’s hard not to get bogged down in the sadness. Pinco Pallino and his son Benedict, along with Mistila’s best friend Beatrice, all want to try and save Mistila from their terminal sadness. Aided by Agabba Dora, mistress of death, and Madame Fulcannoli, a mystic, they travel all over Toronto on a quest for a quest to save Mistila!

The Delightful Chaos of Mistila and the Motlies uses clown, mask, a bit of drag, and a lot of imagination to bring this story to life. It makes for an absolutely enchanting play, as all of the elements are used in different and unique ways. However, underscoring the whimsical main story line are very grounded interjections from Kat Letwin who plays Mistila. She removes her mask several times to address the audience about the real and present dangers we, and those around the globe, are facing on a daily basis. These passionate breaks are so relatable, and illuminate the issues which not only weigh heavy on Mistila, but on us all.

Truly, the title says it all: this play is full of delightful chaos and should be on your Fringe must-see list for this year. I was happy to give this show a standing ovation. It’s moving, smart, funny, with a smidge of audience participation, and will leave your heart feeling full of hope.

The Delightful Chaos of Mistila and the Motlies | Toronto Fringe Festival (fringetoronto.com)

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B. Kinnon, D. Moyes

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Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, and Caitlin

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