Check out this year’s Low Vision Friendly Fringe reviews by KickAss Fringe reviewer, Deb Fong.
This is Deb Fong’s second year reviewing shows at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Deb has partial vision and attended 17 shows this year, many on our Low Vision Friendly list (accessible for people with vision loss without description), including VocalEye’s described performance of A Very Unpleasant Evening at Rockefeller Rink, plus a few bonus performances not on our list.
Deb Fong was a part of the “Mainstreeters Artists Collective”, which began in the 70s and spanned 20 years. She has acted in several art performances, including one that toured Canada and New York. As well, she created videos and animations and produced promotional materials for film festivals and arts organizations.
For the full list of Low Vision Friendly shows, more Fringe tips and info, visit How to Get Your Low Vision Friendly Fringe On
For the Festival’s full accessible services, visit Accessible Fringe
For more Fringe Reviews, visit: Jo Ledingham; Colin Thomas and friends; The Georgia Straight; Vancouver Presents
KICKASS FRINGE REVIEWS by DEB FONG
5 Step Guide to Being German (75 mins)
Performance Works
German comedian Paco Erhard makes fun of racial stereotypes especially his own. This funny, one-man show was on the Low Vision list and was easy to understand. However, there were three drawings used in the performance, but luckily, Paco saw me with my white cane waiting in line and took the time to describe each drawing to me before the show.
Performance Works is the most accessible and spacious venue of the Fringe. No stairs – cabaret-style with tables and chairs. The staff were friendly and accommodating and I received priority seating.
Ain’t True and Uncle False (60 minutes)
Performance Works
Paul Strickland’s solo show was funny and entertaining. This show is on the Low-Vision list and is easy to understand as it is story-telling with songs and guitar. Paul portrays different family members and neighbours living in a trailer park.
Performance Works is the most accessible and spacious venue of the Fringe. No stairs – cabaret-style with tables and chairs. The staff were friendly and accommodating and I received priority seating.
Brain Machine (60 minutes)
Arts Umbrella
Award winning monologist Andrew Bailey spins a fast-paced, thought-provoking tale about the creation of the world wide web, and how it affected him later in life. This show is on the Low Vision list and is easy to understand. No props or set changes.
Arts Umbrella is a small theatre and the seats are all on one level, so best to sit up close. The staff were friendly and accommodating.
Bushel & Peck (75 minutes)
Waterfront Theatre
This zany, artistic show has one of my favourite performers Alastair Knowles (of James and Jamesy). But the show was physical theatre and was not easy to see or understand. The dark stage was lit by a single hand-held light. However even with my limited vision, some of the stark imagery and graceful choreography was hauntingly beautiful. This show was not on the Low-Vision list and is not suitable for patrons with low vision.
The Waterfront Theatre is fairly accessible. However, stairs to seats are not marked. Staff were very accommodating, allowing me to sit in the lounge while waiting for the doors to open and giving me priority seating.
Cry Baby: The Musical (90 minutes)
Firehall Theatre
Cry Baby was a highly-entertaining show with foot-stomping songs and energetic dancing. Based on the movie by John Waters, the story focuses on a Baltimore teenager who is drawn into a relationship with Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, leader of a rebel gang. Over a dozen talented performers filled the well-lit stage. I could easily understand this show without description, from the hilarious song lyrics.
This show was not on the low-vision list, but it could have been. There were just a few, significant props, costumes and set changes. I would definitely recommend this show.
Staff were friendly and accommodating and gave us priority seating as well as guided us to the ground level exit so we didn’t have to go down any stairs. There are stairs up to the theatre, and the stairs to your seats are well-marked.
Everybody Dies in December (60 minutes)
Studio 1398
This dark comedy by Nancy Kenny was on the Low Vision list and was easy to understand without description. In this solo show, Funeral Director Claire talks to individual audience members as if they were the corpses she’s tending to.
Studio 1398 is fairly accessible. The House Manager was accommodating again when she saw we were back for another show. She unlocked the door so we could use the elevator and we got priority seating.
Executing Justice (60 mins)
Revue Stage
Writer and performer Bill Pats delivers a powerful, thought-provoking performance in this one-man drama. Bill talks about the social and legal issues that led him on the path to crime, incarceration and finally death row, one hour before his execution . This show was on the Low Vision-Friendly list and was easy to understand. I would highly-recommend it.
The Revue Stage is quite accessible with no steps into the theatre, only well-marked risers to your seats. Staff were friendly and accommodating and I received priority seating.
Fifty Shades of Dave (60 minutes)
Studio 1398
If you liked CBC Radio’s Vinyl Café, you will love this parody! This totally-hilarious one-man show reveals the steamier side of Dave and Morley’s relationship. Kyle Carpenter captures the persona of Stuart McLean’s voice, demeanour and warmth. Sexual content. This show was on the Low Vision list and was easy to understand. I highly recommend it.
Studio 1398 is fairly accessible. The House Manager was exceptionally accommodating and directed us to a seating area by the elevator while we waited for the doors to open. I could show our tickets to the usher ahead of time, so didn’t have to search for our tickets on my iPhone at the door. And we got priority seating.
Gigantic Lying Mouth (60 minutes)
Revue Stage
Award-winning spoken word artist Kevin P Gilday from Glasgow delivers a strong performance when he dies in a freak accident while doing yoga and finds himself in the afterlife. Following the voice of someone above, he has to answer questions which make him reflect on his life and his vices. This spoken-word show was not on the Low Vision List but was easy to understand except for a few projections. I would recommend it.
The Revue Stage is quite accessible with no steps into the theatre, only well-marked risers to your seats. Staff were friendly and accommodating and I received priority seating.
Gutenberg: The Musical (90 mins)
Carousel Theatre
In this fast-paced, zany comedy, Chris Adams and Erik Gow play aspiring playwrights performing a backers’ audition for their musical Gutenberg, in order to get the show on Broadway. They play every role themselves and describe the actions of each scene.
The show was easy to understand, mostly consisting of dialogue and hilarious songs. There were a couple of props that weren’t easy to see. This show was not on the Low Vision-Friendly list, but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it.
Carousel Theatre is small with cramped seating on risers that are not well-marked. Staff were friendly and accommodating.
Hyena Subpoena (55 minutes)
Studio 1398
Spoken word artist Mona Morse portrays predator and pray in both animal and human worlds. This show is on the Low-Vision list and is easy to understand without description, though there were a few projections and costume changes that I couldn’t see. My companion who loves poetry, really enjoyed this performance.
Studio 1938 is fairly accessible. Patrons usually walk up three flights of stairs to the theatre. But there is an elevator nearby, which I discovered at previous shows. We had suitable seats reserved for us and since we were attending the next show, we left our reserved signs on our seats. Steps to seats were well-marked. Staff were friendly and accommodating.
Immaculate Big Bang (75 minutes)
Studio 1398
New York comedian Bill Santiago pokes fun at religion, science and technology in his fast-paced, witty monologue. He engages with the audience as he relates his personal stories of his father’s death and his daughter’s birth. This show is on the Low-Vision List and is easy to understand without description. I recommend it.
Studio 1938 is fairly accessible. Most patrons walk up three flights of stairs to the theatre, but there is also an elevator nearby. We had suitable seats reserved for us. Steps to seats were well-marked. Staff were friendly and accommodating.
Let Me Freeze Your Head (55 mins)
Waterfront Theatre
This one-man show was on the Low Vision-Friendly list and was easy to understand. Neil McArthur brings out three frozen heads, and describes the past life of each person: a scientist, a baseball hero and his ex-girlfriend who died of cancer. As this show was not supposed to be a performance, but a sales presentation for human cryonic preservation, it seemed somewhat flat.
The Waterfront Theatre is fairly accessible. However, stairs to seats are not marked. Staff were accommodating, allowing me to sit inside while waiting for the doors to open.
A Night at the Roce-Coloured Disco (75 mins)
The Cultch
Former CBC comedy writers Dylan Archambault and Arggy Jenati create a hilarious, high-energy show that looks at finding love and finding a job in today’s world. The duo drink and dance at their favourite rave with a live DJ, with interaction with audience members. The show is on the Low Vision Friendly list and was easy to understand, though some dance moves were hard to see. A highly-entertaining show, I would definitely recommend it.
The Cultch is a fairly accessible venue, no stair to theatre, alternate steps to seats are two-toned. Staff were accommodating and we received priority seating.
Six Fine Lines (60 minutes)
Carousel Theatre
The solo performer Mack Gordon creates a medley of emotional stories, poems and game shows. Audience members were invited to play the Newlywed Game and Family Feud. This show was on the Low Vision list. Most of the show was easy to understand but there were some props that I couldn’t see well.
Carousel Theatre is small with cramped seating on risers that are not well-marked. Staff were friendly and accommodating.
SwordPlay (60 mins)
False Creek Gym
This raucous, action-packed comedy had lots of duels, a damsel and even a dragon. I could understand most of the story from the dialogue, but couldn’t see the fast-paced action or recognize some characters. This show was not on the Low Vision list and is not suitable for patrons with low vision.
False Creek Gym is accessible, no stairs to theatre. Seats are in a double row on low risers, so view is obscured, best to sit in front row. Staff were accommodating and we received priority seating.
Very Unpleasant Evening at the Rockerfeller Rink Sometime Late
December…ish
The Cultch
This Rainhair Studios show was live described by VocalEye and was easy to understand with description. We meet six quirky characters at a skating rink: a blind engineer, a 14 year old girl searching for her identity, an Olympic figure skater wannabe and his grandmother, and an engaged couple wondering if they should actually get married. We watch how their relationships develop and how they all come together in a common task.
The Cultch is a fairly accessible venue, no stairs to theatre, alternate steps to seats are two-toned. Staff were accommodating and we received priority seating as well as reserved seats.
