Tag Archives: theatre

Fringe Review 2016 – A Glass Eye Serves as a Window Into One’s Soul

By Jay Ménard

Fringe offers a venue for stories that may not otherwise get told. They afford a performer a level of intimacy that may not be permitted by larger, more cavernous venues, or that may be impeded by a screen.

At its best, Fringe is about sharing stories. It’s about falling in love with a performer and letting him or her transport you away for an hour.

And this year, at London’s Fringe Festival, on the Palace Theatre stage, accompanied only by a microphone for the most part — that’s how a woman with one ‘glass’ eye was able to allow us, the audience, to see clearly into her soul. And it’s how she was able to reach out and touch ours. Continue reading

Fringe 2016 Review – An Off Target Jesse James

By Jay Menard

Despite the legendary shooting acumen of its title character, Mr. Richardson was Jesse James, currently playing at The Palace Theatre as part of the London Fringe Festival, either misses the mark or, more appropriately, may not be sure what target it’s trying to hit.

The play bills itself as an Ontario South Western. But it reminded me more of my youth growing up in Montreal. Frontier Town, located in upstate New York, was a destination of choice for families looking for a vacation spot during the late 70s and early 80s. It was a place where the bad guys wore black hats, the kids would dress up as cowboys, and with cap guns in hand, we’d “shoot” the train robber, get our faces printed on the local newspaper, and walk away heroes. Continue reading

Fringe 2016 Review – 2 for Tea a Masterpiece of Refined Chaos

By Jay Menard,

It is hard to classify James & Jamesy’s 2 for Tea. It is at once a physical comedy and a touching story of friendship and love. It’s at the same time a paean to precision and an exercise in controlled chaos. It is both an homage to the great comedy duos of the past whilst remaining a contemporary delight that keeps getting better.

The easiest way to classify 2 for Tea is to say that it’s a must-see production on this year’s Fringe circuit. Continue reading

FRINGE 2015 – A Dream Girl Worth Waking Up For

By Jay Menard

To me, Peachy Keen Productions represents what Fringe should be: quirky, creative, and filled with heart. The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is a shining example of the best that Fringe has to offer.

That’s not to say it’s perfect. The opening-night performance featured some significant challenges in the audio and lighting — to the point where the production became a little disjoined. But overall the heart and soul of show came shining through. Continue reading

FRINGE 2015: Checking Out of the Library

By Jay Menard

There’s a fine line between surrealism and randomness — and that line is the thread that binds a production together. Unfortunately for The Library, that thread is quickly frayed rendering the show one that’s better in concept than in execution. Continue reading