Vancouver Fringe Festival 2016
Vancouver Fringe Festival 2016
The Beaux’ Stratagem
At Jericho Arts Centre until September 25, 2016
Not a fan of Restoration Comedy? Don’t worry: this United Players’ production of George Farquhar’s 1707 comedy is an adaptation that has been tweaked by two of the best – first by American playwright Thornton Wilder and later by another American, Ken Ludwig.
Gregory Radzimowski as Jack Archer and Jessica Wagstaff as Mrs. Kate Sullen in The Beaux’ Stratagem. Credit: Doug Williams
The Book of Mormon: The Musical
The Book of Mormon: The Musical at the QE Theatre until September 4, 2016
There are so many sacred cows slaughtered in The Book of Mormon: The Musical that it’s a wonder the QE isn’t knee-deep in (metaphorical) blood.
Cody Jamison Strand as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon: The Musical. Credit: Joan Marcus 2016
Tremors: Festival of Emerging Talent
At the Italian Cultural Centre until August 20, 2016
Until two years ago, the Tremors Festival used to be Rumble Theatre’s way of presenting the work of emerging theatre companies. Now Rumble chooses the plays, assembles the creative teams and produces the shows – giving a leg up to emerging artists rather than emerging companies.
Shauna Griffin and Anais West in Dry Land. Credit: Tim Matheson
Heathers: The Musical
At Waterfront Theatre until August 26, 2016
Forget Scottish heaths, kilts and bagpipes, these Heathers are all-American, bitchy teenaged girls lording it over their Westerburg High School classmates.
Julia Ullrich (as Veronica) and David Z. Cohen (J.D.) in Heathers: The Musical. Credit: Chayse Crowley
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
At Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) until August 27, 2016
Under the direction of Shel Piercy, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is the complete TUTS package: hot chocolate or coffee, popcorn, the stars overhead, the stars onstage and a really great show. Super family entertainment.
Jaime Piercy (Belle) and Peter Monaghan (the Beast) in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Credit: Tim Matheson
The Romans in Britain
At the Jericho Arts Centre, in repertory, until August 20, 2016
Even Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus doesn’t come close to the body count in The Romans in Britain now running in repertory with Betrayal and The Country Wife on the Jericho Arts Centre stage
Yurij Kis in The Romans in Britain. Credit: Adam Beauchesne
Pericles
At Bard on the Beach until September 18, 2016
Director Lois Anderson was a big part of the much-loved, much-missed Leaky Heaven Circus and this production is, at times, clever and playful in the way Leaky Heaven was. Her Pericles is a treasure trove of invention.
Sereana Malani and Kamyar Pazandeh in Pericles. Credit: David Cooper and Emily Cooper
West Side Story
At Theatre Under the Stars (alternating with Disney’s Beauty and The Beast) until August 20, 2016
There are a couple of absolute requirements when it comes to producing West Side Story: there must be a fantastic performer in the role of Puerto Rican Anita; and the choreography has to be terrific. This Theatre Under the Stars’ production, directed by Sarah Rodgers, has both.
Matt Montgomery as Tony and Jennifer Gillis as Maria in West Side Story. Credit: Tim Matheson
Betrayal
At the Jericho Arts Centre (in repertory with The Romans in Britain and The Country Wife) until August 19, 2016
There’s a line in this 1978 Pinter play that’s absolutely explosive. It comes in the second of nine scenes and you’ll know it when you hear it.
James Gill, Corina Akeson and Tariq Leslie in Betrayal. Credit: Thorsten Gohl