Since volunteering for Front of House, it’s become a habit of mine to always seek out the main show boards at the information tents or box office at the Arts Barns. I like to see what shows have been selling out, particularly after good reviews in the Journal. I checked them out this afternoon while we were on the grounds, and it looks to me like there are a higher number of sold out shows than usually expected this early on in the festival. They also seem to have no correlation to reviews in the paper, though I have to say I haven’t done an exhaustive comparison. Most surprising to me is that not a single show of Spiral Dive has sold out, in spite of getting the only five-star review thus far. Perhaps the La Cite venue really is too far off the beaten track for most festival-goers to seek out?
Anyway, Mack and I watched two shows today – the first was Mockingbird Close by local artist Trevor Schmidt. An exploration of the ills of suburbia isn’t a new subject, but Mockingbird Close does an exceptional job of reaching and maintaining a harrowing level of intensity almost as soon as it starts. In particular, I appreciated the highly visual language, and the incorporation of Hansel and Gretel’s tale throughout. The play’s success rests heavily on the shoulders of the two actors, and Tiana Leonty and Cody Porter are well cast and well-matched for the roles of a couple searching for their lost son. The play’s two “halves” (the first about the family dynamic and the second about the neighbourhood), could have been individual shows themselves, and as a result, Mockingbird Close felt somewhat disjointed. As a whole though, I did enjoy the play, and would recommend it.
Mack picked our second selection for the day, @Life, at one of my least favourite venues, the Yardbird Suite. The description of the show in the program led me to believe the play was a “comedic examination of the role of technology in modern life”, but really, this is a play written by and for gamers. As a result, I have to say I didn’t understand enough of the references to like the play. However, I have to admire the energy level of the three actors, who were entertaining to watch, and a few of the sketches (the evolution of Mario, the “console reunion party”) that I mildly comprehended. Mack, on the other hand, having spent some time gaming, did enjoy the play.
I’ll be back at the Fringe on Wednesday. Have you seen any plays yet?
Only Here for the Food 
sharon,
i have been volunteering selling tic’s in the box-office….what a fun way to experience the festival.
i have seen a few of the regular standards: guys in disguise last nite(wonderful), and improv on sat(really good). saw viva la diva (good) and am looking forward to lots more this week!
cant wait!
Awesome to hear you are volunteering! Thanks for helping to make the Fringe a reality! I think sometime soon I’d like to do so again, just to see how the new computer system works out at Front of House now.
I’ve noticed that the review sources seem unusually divergent this year. No clear indication what is the “best of the best”.
Still planning the rest of our Double Fringer pass and its an unusually noncompetitive selection process.
I waited too long and missed out on the steal of a deal Fringe passes.
I think it’s a good thing that there may not be any “clear” winners – it’s a good thing when the audience is spread around.