We're on our last day! How did it go by so fast?
Shows seen:
These were very interesting plays with interesting characters. The Women went through various famous women in literature and went through the female relationship, life and sex. Pitch went through the life of Judy Holliday and how she lived her life, and how she was the smartest dumb blonde of her time. I really liked both and the direction the performances went.
...Sorry, that's not much to go on, but yesterday was a long day and my brain is a bit fried.
This is the part where I want to thank all the amazing artists I have encountered, worked with, dealt with, rescued, had me rescued and being otherwise awesome. You have all done an amazing job this year, not only in your shows, but in your welcoming of patrons, other artists, and most importantly, the volunteers. I don't think I have seen this many free shows offered to volunteers or heard of so much gratitude towards them. I'm so happy we had so many awesome volunteers, but I'm also so happy with the wonderful gratitude towards them. You are awesome and thanks for making this fringe as awesome as it could be.
Volunteers too! I've pretty much said my praise, but I want to do more because you TOTALLY deserve it! Coming in last minute, pulling doubles, surviving the rain and keeping a smile on you face when being verbally bitch-slapped by patrons. You rule, and please please PLEASE come back next year!
K, that's it for now, seeing a few shows tonight, will do my wrap-up tomorrow maybe, if I survive strike tomorrow morning (eek!)
Until then!
-janeovision
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
On the fringe of the fringe...
It's coming to an end.... and so fast too!
Here's what I saw last night:
Both enjoyable shows for veeery different reasons. Tribulations is a lot of slapstick toilet humour with goofy props and physical comedy. It's a 30-minute show, which is just long enough to be entertained and enjoy the giggles, but not too long that you get bored and annoyed with it. It's fun and silly and just what you need to fill in the time between shows.
On Second Thought goes on about Paul's childhood and his life growing up; dealing with stereotypes, major events in his life, and who's the 'smart' one in society. Terribly funny, lots of dirty humour, poop jokes (literally and figuratively) and brief moments of early lighting and near-sightings of, as he called it, his 'tallywhacker'. It wraps up with interpretive dance to a Chantal Kraviazuk song in festive undies. A lot of fun and a nice break from the more serious shows of the festival.
Day 9, here we go!
-janeovision
Here's what I saw last night:
Both enjoyable shows for veeery different reasons. Tribulations is a lot of slapstick toilet humour with goofy props and physical comedy. It's a 30-minute show, which is just long enough to be entertained and enjoy the giggles, but not too long that you get bored and annoyed with it. It's fun and silly and just what you need to fill in the time between shows.
On Second Thought goes on about Paul's childhood and his life growing up; dealing with stereotypes, major events in his life, and who's the 'smart' one in society. Terribly funny, lots of dirty humour, poop jokes (literally and figuratively) and brief moments of early lighting and near-sightings of, as he called it, his 'tallywhacker'. It wraps up with interpretive dance to a Chantal Kraviazuk song in festive undies. A lot of fun and a nice break from the more serious shows of the festival.
Day 9, here we go!
-janeovision
Friday, June 26, 2009
and the fringing continues...
So, I've seen more shows! Here's the new shows I've seen as of yesterday:
Catgut Strung Violin
A lot of slapstick, 3-stooges comedy. Its a neat view on the war as well, because there is no real distinction of what side the protagonist is on, or who the bad guy really is. I personally enjoyed watching the guys practice before the show and goofing off, which lead to some teabagging jokes. Unfortunatley for everyone else, that was a performance just for me.
Heebs and Dweebs
Well, what can I say, it's Amy Salloway. She really can do no wrong. Talking about troubled childhood in a nuclear family, dealing with being fat, jewish and jumping between the math kids and theatre kids lunch tables. Her visit here was short, but so worth it!
The Beer Tent
All inside jokes in the ottawa theatre biz, with projections behind them explaining names, terms and plays they were talking about. *personal enjoyment* when they spoke about Kevin Orr, the put up the "Kevin Orr is my Lover" FB group! I nearly peed myself!!
Countries Shaped like Stars
I'm in love.
Oreo
...Much better than last year, but still needs work. PS. can you write off all those dildos and cock rings in a grant?
Grandpa Sol and Grandma Rosie
New experimental stuff. not sure I'm a fan, but kudos for trying it.
Not sure if I'm going to see any shows tonight, with all the storms we're on High alert with the power situation in the tent, but we'll see.
until the next show!
...or until the tent decides to not set on fire again...
-janeovision
- Catgut Strung Violin
- Playing Princesses
- Duel
- This is a Recording
- Heebs and Dweebs
- Satanic Panic
- Inclement Weather
- The Beer Tent
- Countries Shaped Like Stars
- Oreo
- Grandpa Sol and Grandma Rosie
Catgut Strung Violin
A lot of slapstick, 3-stooges comedy. Its a neat view on the war as well, because there is no real distinction of what side the protagonist is on, or who the bad guy really is. I personally enjoyed watching the guys practice before the show and goofing off, which lead to some teabagging jokes. Unfortunatley for everyone else, that was a performance just for me.
Heebs and Dweebs
Well, what can I say, it's Amy Salloway. She really can do no wrong. Talking about troubled childhood in a nuclear family, dealing with being fat, jewish and jumping between the math kids and theatre kids lunch tables. Her visit here was short, but so worth it!
The Beer Tent
All inside jokes in the ottawa theatre biz, with projections behind them explaining names, terms and plays they were talking about. *personal enjoyment* when they spoke about Kevin Orr, the put up the "Kevin Orr is my Lover" FB group! I nearly peed myself!!
Countries Shaped like Stars
I'm in love.
Oreo
...Much better than last year, but still needs work. PS. can you write off all those dildos and cock rings in a grant?
Grandpa Sol and Grandma Rosie
New experimental stuff. not sure I'm a fan, but kudos for trying it.
Not sure if I'm going to see any shows tonight, with all the storms we're on High alert with the power situation in the tent, but we'll see.
until the next show!
...or until the tent decides to not set on fire again...
-janeovision
Sunday, June 21, 2009
fringe and pirates...a (semi) review
so last night I saw another show, Pirate Jenny's Circus. A few of my friends are in it so I was having my life threatened if I didn't see it.
Having friends in it, I heard a lot about the process of developing this show. How things were going slow, how 3 weeks before opening there still wasn't a script, how people were ready to kill each other for many varying and numerous reasons. But they got it done. There was music, dancing, some sword play and action (get your head out of the gutter!) and pretty much every aspect of theatre you could toss into a 55-minute performance.
I enjoyed it, however, I have to admit, ignoring some of the more mature content (jenny prostituting and the occasional murder) I'm not a big fan of children's theatre in Fringe Festivals. Call me a snob, but when I think of Fringe Festivals, I see sexual content, People talking about coming of age, death, murder, and raw emotions that children just can't fully grasp. I found this somewhat of a TYA (theatre for young audiences) show, which was not the mood I was in.
The performances were pretty solid, but listening to the moans and groans of the cast beforehand, It was really obvious (to me) the maturity of the show itself. It still needs a lot of workshopping and developping before it can really show its true potential. I did think they could have eased up on the choreography, though - there were some interesting things in the songs, but much was lost in the twirling and excessive 'interpretive dance' performance.
Definitely a show to bring kids to, if your one of those adults with little ones attached by the teeth to your ankles, but be warned that it's a very new play, and it needs to develop a bit more.
Congrats guys, I have a feeling that the fringe itself is going to develop it well and bring out pirate jenny's true identity. Kepp going and see where this process takes you
Oh and one more thing, you may want to work on the tagline of this show and the synopsis, I thought it was going to be a girl trapped in this mental world of circus' and pirates, not a girl in a circus who dreams about being a pirate. Oh well, my bad i guess.
Until the next show!
-janeovision
Having friends in it, I heard a lot about the process of developing this show. How things were going slow, how 3 weeks before opening there still wasn't a script, how people were ready to kill each other for many varying and numerous reasons. But they got it done. There was music, dancing, some sword play and action (get your head out of the gutter!) and pretty much every aspect of theatre you could toss into a 55-minute performance.
I enjoyed it, however, I have to admit, ignoring some of the more mature content (jenny prostituting and the occasional murder) I'm not a big fan of children's theatre in Fringe Festivals. Call me a snob, but when I think of Fringe Festivals, I see sexual content, People talking about coming of age, death, murder, and raw emotions that children just can't fully grasp. I found this somewhat of a TYA (theatre for young audiences) show, which was not the mood I was in.
The performances were pretty solid, but listening to the moans and groans of the cast beforehand, It was really obvious (to me) the maturity of the show itself. It still needs a lot of workshopping and developping before it can really show its true potential. I did think they could have eased up on the choreography, though - there were some interesting things in the songs, but much was lost in the twirling and excessive 'interpretive dance' performance.
Definitely a show to bring kids to, if your one of those adults with little ones attached by the teeth to your ankles, but be warned that it's a very new play, and it needs to develop a bit more.
Congrats guys, I have a feeling that the fringe itself is going to develop it well and bring out pirate jenny's true identity. Kepp going and see where this process takes you
Oh and one more thing, you may want to work on the tagline of this show and the synopsis, I thought it was going to be a girl trapped in this mental world of circus' and pirates, not a girl in a circus who dreams about being a pirate. Oh well, my bad i guess.
Until the next show!
-janeovision
Saturday, June 20, 2009
fringe, we are go!
Fringe is in full swing! We are already on day 3!
I've seen a couple of shows, and I'm going to note what shows I have seen. I'm not going to mention anything over the top or in depth until after the fringe is done. Okay, that'll probably change really fast, but I'm trying to stay neutral and fair, since I am so closely tied to the festival. if a show wows me, however, I will definitely let people know, as I want people to go to this festival, and if I am really affected by the show (such as last years crude love) You people are going to know about it!
Okay, only one person reads this, and their not even in town, but OH WELL!
Shows seen so far:
Today, I plan on seeing Pirate Jennys Circus, and maybe sneaking in Catgut Strung Violin, but we'll see if I can sneak away from work.
The chaos of my part of Frinfge has almost wrapped up. The last technical rehearsal is tomorrow, then it's just trouble shooting until strike on the 29th. 5am is too early, 17 hour days are too long, and I am just now starting to catch up on sleep. Only three more days worth of sleep and I'm back on track!
People think, "oh theatre, that's so easy. Just show up and perform!" To those people, go to hell. You have no idea the amount of preparation for all of the venues, techn icians have to be hired and organized, performers need to be herded, and any and all problems have to be fixed RIGHT AWAY, because, god forbid someone is unhappy. We have to deal with people who do not respect schedules, therefore fucking with mine and pissing me and everyone else off - and I get blamed for it.
Sorry ahd to rant a bit, but people need to respect theatre! But now the worst is over, I'm going to relax, sleep a bit, and go see more shows! YOU SHOULD TOO!
See you at the beer tent after!!
-janeovision
I've seen a couple of shows, and I'm going to note what shows I have seen. I'm not going to mention anything over the top or in depth until after the fringe is done. Okay, that'll probably change really fast, but I'm trying to stay neutral and fair, since I am so closely tied to the festival. if a show wows me, however, I will definitely let people know, as I want people to go to this festival, and if I am really affected by the show (such as last years crude love) You people are going to know about it!
Okay, only one person reads this, and their not even in town, but OH WELL!
Shows seen so far:
Today, I plan on seeing Pirate Jennys Circus, and maybe sneaking in Catgut Strung Violin, but we'll see if I can sneak away from work.
The chaos of my part of Frinfge has almost wrapped up. The last technical rehearsal is tomorrow, then it's just trouble shooting until strike on the 29th. 5am is too early, 17 hour days are too long, and I am just now starting to catch up on sleep. Only three more days worth of sleep and I'm back on track!
People think, "oh theatre, that's so easy. Just show up and perform!" To those people, go to hell. You have no idea the amount of preparation for all of the venues, techn icians have to be hired and organized, performers need to be herded, and any and all problems have to be fixed RIGHT AWAY, because, god forbid someone is unhappy. We have to deal with people who do not respect schedules, therefore fucking with mine and pissing me and everyone else off - and I get blamed for it.
Sorry ahd to rant a bit, but people need to respect theatre! But now the worst is over, I'm going to relax, sleep a bit, and go see more shows! YOU SHOULD TOO!
See you at the beer tent after!!
-janeovision
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
fa-fa-fa-fringe!
fringe has begun!
2009 ottawa fringe festival! hooyea!
ok, well it's been going on for a while, but we had the media launch yesterday and it's just chaos! setting up the venues, getting equipment, setting up technicians and absolutely no rest for the wicked.
volunteer orientation is this week, we get tech equipment next week, then tech rehearsals and shows as of the 18th with opening ceremonies on the 17th!
ho god! where did the time go??
time to get cracking, time to go crazy, time to not sleep.
gotta love this time of year.
2009 ottawa fringe festival! hooyea!
ok, well it's been going on for a while, but we had the media launch yesterday and it's just chaos! setting up the venues, getting equipment, setting up technicians and absolutely no rest for the wicked.
volunteer orientation is this week, we get tech equipment next week, then tech rehearsals and shows as of the 18th with opening ceremonies on the 17th!
ho god! where did the time go??
time to get cracking, time to go crazy, time to not sleep.
gotta love this time of year.
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