The Fringe Unleashed: July 2-13, 2008

Fringe FestivalWatch out! Here it comes!

This week marks the start of that annual July frenzy known as the Fringe Festival. Between tomorrow and Sunday, July 13 Torontonians will get a chance to see about 150 shows held in 30 downtown venues. Among the performers are seasoned Fringers, coming back to sold-out shows and enthusiastic fans, as well as new theatre companies just getting their feet wet. No doubt it's the same with show-goers: I'm sure some of you have been at it for years, and for some it's going to be the first ever Fringe season (oh goodie, trust me, you are in for a real treat!).

Whichever category you fall into, keep an eye out for our daily Fringe reviews and previews to help you with your play selection. After all it is no easy task, given how many shows there are to choose from (no wonder the gentleman in the photograph looks slightly overwhelmed upon surveying only a sample of last year's Fringe offerings). Fortunately, every Fringe show runs for several days (some even manage a performance every day of the festival), so if you like what one of our reviewers said about a production, you'll likely still be able to catch it.

When you're choosing your shows, I urge to not stop at just a couple. Go for at least a handful. At $10 per ticket (even less if you get a pass), Fringe shows are pretty affordable, and, undeniably, a huge part of the Festival's appeal is variety.

Photo: Fringe Board (2) by jbcurio.

Reader Reviews and Comments

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yay!!! fringe!!! yayayayayayayayay!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: megan at July 1, 2008 9:16 PM

Come see WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?! at The Dragon Academy, 35 Prince Arthur Avenue:

When life is full of questions, where do we go to find answers? From two indie musicians on the verge of success to a newly-transplanted high school student just looking for a place to fit in, three groups of young people explore the twisted paths down which life can lead us.

From a company Eye Weekly calls "clever and impressively professional", What the Hell Am I Doing?! is a dramedy of choices ? the decisions we make, and the consequences that follow, in those split-second moments when we don't have a clue of what's actually going on.

Directed by Yasmin Siddiqui | Written by Yasmin Siddiqui & Cast | Starring Katie Dorian, James Graham & Chloe Sullivan

VENUE: The Dragon Academy, 35 Prince Arthur Avenue

SHOWTIMES:

Wed, July 2 @ 7:00 PM
Thu, July 3 @ 8:00 PM
Fri, July 4 @ 7:00 PM
Sat, July 5 @ 8:00 PM
Sun, July 6 @ 2:00 PM
Mon, July 7 @ 7:00 PM
Thu, July 10 @ 7:00 PM
Fri, July 11 @ 8:00 PM
Sat, July 12 @ 8:00 PM
Sun, July 13 @ 3:00 PM

Posted by: AC at July 1, 2008 11:23 PM

I dunno... But I'm going to go see "Balls!". Midnight Poutine's review of the show seemed pretty positive. (And it won awards from its previous Fringes last year).

Venue: Factory Theatre (125 Bathurst at Adelaide).

Show Times:
Thu July 3 at 10:30pm
Sat July 5 at 1:45pm
Sun July 6 at 7:00pm
Tues July 8 at 4:45pm
Thu July 10 at 5:45pm
Fri Jul 11 at 2:15pm
Sat July 12 at 9:45pm

More info at http://www.tenfootpole.ca

Posted by: Dave at July 2, 2008 3:12 PM

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