Fundy Fringe Festival has returned for their 6th year and another week of nineteen uncensored and unapologetic theatre performances. After a time-and-a-half last year we know that theatre enthusiasts and newcomers will be flocking to Saint John to take it all in but, even with a schedule and multiple showings, it’s a lot of accomplish. So we’ve tried to whittle it down for you.
Here are five shows that we’re extra excited for.
The Disappearance of Scarlett Sky
While a wave of college students excitedly await summertime in 1970’s Florida, a lone narrator takes us on an exploration of one student’s mysterious (and possibly gruesome) vanishing. Virgo Theatre Company’s latest is indeed an enigma; there’s no other information available online about the piece, so you’ll have to make an appearance amongst the crowd to solve this one.
Educated Askholes
For those already familiar with the comedy of Mandy-Lynn Donovan, they’ll know what to expect from this tag-team performance with musician Joseph Nixon. Educated Askholes will be a raunchy, million-miles-a-minute, no-holds-barred walk through of society’s skeleton closet. If you’re lucky. No one is safe from the group’s R-rated brand of humour.
25
From Parisian theatre company 1919, 25 utilizes two actors for twelve different characters, each of them helping us to explore the many emotions and turmoils we face during our ventures into our late twenties. Said to be “craftily executed” and “superbly staged,” this “sleek, sexy and smart” drama is a must-see.
Passing Notes
William & Aleena Needham bring us a supernatural tale of curious spirits who can’t mind their own business. Every spirit, stranger, and lone thought is something to be explored in this haunting narrative.
Bar Star
We’re especially looking forward to the return of Franny McCabe-Bennett for her performance of Bar Star. Last year she both took home the Performer’s Choice Award and topped our list of shows to watch for. This year she’s put together a solo performance in memory of a time best forgotten in most of our lives: our drunken 20s. Raise a glass in toast and be thankful it’s also a period that’s easily forgotten.
Bonus: The Baes of Fundy
If you don’t have time for it all, New Brunswick’s favourite improv team can help. They know how hard it can be to catch every show this year, so they’re bringing it all to you at once! Equipped with nothing more than the titles of this year’s shows, Hot Garbage Players deliver their own version of this year’s Fundy Fringe Fest, where belly-laughs and inaccurate information flourish.
The Fundy Fringe Festival runs from August 20th to 25th with their annual kick-off event, The Big Tease preview night, happening Monday, August 20th, 2018 at 7:30pm in the BMO Studio Theatre on Princess Street, Saint John. For the full line-up of shows visit Fundy Fringe Festival’s website at www.fundyfringefestival.com