The Toronto Fringe is back in full swing after the holiday! July 2 marked the final FIFA game taking place in Toronto, so the Distillery District was humming with both Fringe goers and soccer fans alike! I took in two shows as well as attended a fantastic event at Old Flame Brewery as part of the Fringe!
Jon Bennett: American’t – 2Hoots Productions
As a fringe artist, Jon Bennett’s life is rather nomadic, travelling around from city to city and staying for no more than three months in a single place for over a decade. So you can imagine what a disruption a certain week in March of 2020 caused him, especially considering he was in the US. Jon Bennett: American’t is a hilarious yet grounded look at how Bennett was forced to navigate the immigration system during COVID-19. Witty, heartfelt, and entertaining, Jon Bennett: American’t is a reminder of our need for human connection in our darkest hours.
Jon Bennett is a Fringe legend; with over 160 festivals under his belt, he knows exactly how to keep an audience hooked with his story-telling. Just a man, a laptop, and a projector, and yet that’s all Bennett needs to weave his wacky and wonderful stories. The visual aids not only allow for us to get a glimpse into Bennett’s life, but there’s plenty of memes and jokes which perfectly enhance the piece. Bennett is incredibly personable, coming out before the show to chit-chat with the audience. This immediately sets the audience at ease, but also gives us an idea of the kind of humour we can be looking forward to throughout the next hour.
Bennett’s story about getting stuck in Oregon when the pandemic first began, his struggles to get home and back again, are unique and yet so understandable. We can all remember the stories of couples separated in different countries or even the perils of travelling by car just within your own province. But at the heart of Bennett’s story, there’s a beautiful message about our shared need for community, as he is constantly working towards getting back to the people he cares about.
Jon Bennett: American’t is the embodiment of a Fringe solo-show, delivering comedy and compassion, and the occasional cock.
https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/jon-bennett-americant
Romeo and Juliet, Part 1 – Shakespeare: Say It! – Schindel Says
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to perform in a Shakespearean play? Wonder no more! Romeo and Juliet, Part 1 – Shakespeare: Say It!, created and performed by Dana Schindel, gives its audiences the opportunity to do just that – to perform lines of Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet with your fellow company (audience) members. A fun way to dive into the world of the Bard, Romeo and Juliet, Part 1 – Shakespeare: Say It! Brings out the inner actor in all of us!
Dana Schindel is a welcoming and gracious host, talking to audience members and distributing parts before the performance begins. The show I attended had a rather small audience, which means that most of us got to have multiple solo roles along with the parts we perform as a group. I got to be both Gregory and Benvolio, which means I got to break up a fight I started. Romeo and Juliet, Part 1 – Shakespeare: Say It! uses the first three acts of the play (including the famed balcony scene) as its basis, making a tight show and getting in all of the comedic and famous parts of the play. Our lines are indicated on the screen behind Schindel, and there are clear markings for what we’re to do and say when the time comes.
Schindel herself is a masterful performer, not only in how she guides the audience through her show, but in her performance of the text itself. She easily changes between characters while also ensuring the rest of her company is being taken care of.
I know the words “audience participation” can scare some folks, but here’s what you need to know:
you are not forced into doing anything, you can participate as much or as little as you want (but participating is the fun bit!). This is about feeling the text in your body and experiencing Shakespeare in a way you likely haven’t before.
https://fringetoronto.com/fringe/show/romeo-and-juliet-part-1-shakespeare-say-it
I also had the pleasure of attending the Critics Catch-Up which was an event co-hosted by the Fringe and TAPA. Dr. Karen Fricker (Brock University) and Dr. Scott Mealey (Crandall University) have conducted a survey, as well as several interviews, with critics and theatre-makers alike to discuss the state of theatre criticism in Toronto. It was fascinating to see how many ideas we have in common, and where we diverge on our opinions.
We then had some very productive small group chat sessions, where we got to discuss things further with Rachel and Sam from Fringe, annemieke wade from TAPA, as well as Dr. Fricker and Dr. Mealey.
It’s wonderful to see what we can accomplish with just a couple of hours of data, chats, and community. I truly hope that this will be the start of something much greater!
Thank you to my Patrons:
Natalia, Steve, Brendan, Deborah, and Phil
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Angelica and Paul, Anonymous, Adrianna, Caitlin, Jonathan, Jada, and Courtney
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