The first weekend of Fringe is always an exciting one! More folks are able to be out and about at shows, which means sold out houses and a great energy. For me, it also means that my fiance is able to join me for a day or two of Fringing and we always have such a great time!
Photo by Sebastian Lyn
The Iron Mask – Breakaway Entertainment
Breakaway Entertainment is back at the Toronto Fringe with their latest work, The Iron Mask. Taking place in Toronto’s underbelly in the 1920’s, The Iron Mask blends impressive vocals and beautiful choreography to create its world. However, Adam Martino’s at times heavy-handed script felt cramped into the 55 minute run-time, and the song choices left me wondering which time period we were exploring through this story.
The cast of performers are excellent. Anibal Ortega Sandoval and Tiffany* lead the show as the narrators; their vocal performances are powerful, yet their animosity towards one another felt like it was pulling focus from the main narrative. They’ve assembled a team of talented dancers to take on this complex choreography: Bryce Gowdy, Kaitlind*, Doraianna*, Emily Hundt, Lexie Starvo, and Miranda*. Through a mix of modern movement and jazz classics, these talented performers are able to make us feel the turmoil and heartache of their characters.
The final number of the show feels more emblematic of the vibe of the show than most of the previous group numbers. Using a Caravan Palace song (an electro-swing number) and high-energy choreo featuring the Charleston and other period appropriate dance moves, I thought that the whole play could have used that exact combo to get its point across. The mix of modern music with jazz standards, not to mention some sung live while others just canned, felt incongruous and a bit muddled. Add to the fact that there were several characters whose name and place in the story were only mentioned once, and it made for a confusing situation.
These young performers are brilliant, truly. They put their all into this performance and it shows through every moment. If they had a longer timeframe or a trimmed down story, The Iron Mask would have shone as brightly as they do.
The Iron Mask | Toronto Fringe Festival
*Several of the artist’s last names were not provided in the program.
Photo by Marc J Chalifoux
100% Wizard – Keith Brown
Prepare to be amazed! The incomparable Keith Brown is back in town and he is 100% Wizard, or at least, I’m fully ready to believe that after watching his performance. Full of anecdotes, interesting facts, and mind-blowing illusions, 100% Wizard will have you saying “How’d he do that?” several times in its one-hour run-time.
The Saturday night performance was Brown’s first sold-out show of the Fringe, and I’m sure it won’t be his last! The energy in the room is electric, and only gets better as the audience, rapt with attention, is awed by trick after trick. From card tricks to making stemware appear seemingly out of nowhere to mind reading, Brown can do it all and with a charming flare to boot!
I really enjoy the stories he tells throughout the performance; not just about how he got started in magic, but also about playing cards themselves, what he’s learned about them and how he came to this knowledge. I learned so much about your standard deck of cards that it’ll certainly make me appreciate them in a whole new way the next time I sit down to play a game. Plus I’m definitely going to call Clubs “Puppy Paws” the next time I play euchre with my in-laws.
Brown’s charisma and passion for his craft are evident in each moment of the show. There’s a simplicity to his set up which makes the tricks themselves the razzle-dazzle – which is certainly as it should be. This is a family-friendly, awe-inspiring show that you simply cannot miss at this year’s Fringe.
100% Wizard | Toronto Fringe Festival
Bottom row: Stefan Fetamean, DeVery Bess
Photo by Christen Carson-Traviss
Frat Haus: EVICTED! – Apothecary Theatre
The Boys of Ligma Sigma Beta are soon to be without a place to live. Their evil landlord (played by a different drag performer every show) wants them to fork over one million dollars or else their beloved frat house is going to be turned into condos. Will they be able to raise enough money to save their home? You’ll have to check out Frat Haus: EVICTED! to find out.
The Frat Haus is composed of a group of funny and wildly talented drag kings: Andy Fetamean, Archie Called, Coyote Ugly, Devery Bess, and Stefan Fetamean. Each one of them gets their time to shine as they bring forward their ideas about how to save the house. Everything from selling feet pics to hot dogs to sugar daddies, no option is left unexplored. Honestly, my stomach hurt from laughing so much as their antics only got more silly as the show continued.
KINGCHELLA was the guest drag performer at the performance I attended and they had us all on the edge of our seats for their performance. I love that Frat Haus is able to bring in so many local performers for their show; it adds a great element of anticipation and fun to an already entertaining spectacle. You can check out the list of guest performers on their Fringe page!
Getting to see drag kings take centre stage is absolutely awesome; most folks have heard of a drag queen (there’s a little show about them you might have heard of called “Drag Race”) yet few know about the likewise legendary status of drag kings. By bringing their comedic and drag talents to the fore, Frat Haus: EVICTED! is showing the best that drag has to offer.
Frat Haus: EVICTED! | Toronto Fringe Festival
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