Eight wonderful shows for kids aged 3 and above take the stage at Toronto Fringe
There is nothing like seeing the joy and wonder on a young one’s face when they’ve experienced something truly fun and engaging on stage. Fringe is a great way to introduce kids to the magical world of theatre, expand their curious minds and build fond memories.
There are no requirements to “sit still” and “be quiet” – no one really minds that much if they’re talking or if they need to get up and walk around a bit at the back. There are even washrooms in the theatre to accommodate those kid-sized bladders. It’s great for the budget-conscious parent; tickets are only $5 for kids, $10 for adults. But hurry on, tickets are selling super fast this year, so be sure to buy in advance or stand in line early.
Oh existential crises – you are great fodder for excellent theatre! When combined with a ridiculously talented performer like Jessica Moss, you give us comedic gold. Polly Polly is the funniest, most entertaining show I’ve seen this Fringe and the best one-woman show I’ve ever seen.
Polly works a mundane call centre job, lives a nondescript life, choosing instead the escapism and excitement of movies. She wakes up one morning to the sound of a narrator boisterously and forcefully invading her movie-quote filled mind, giving an account of her every move. Mean, bossy, and obnoxious the narrator delivers some of the most hilarious lines on the show, “You sound like Fran Drescher,” is one such gem.
This one woman show, written and performed by Bronwyn Jones, is a bizarre, freaky, ghoulish story about a little girl’s experiences growing up at the Palace Grand Theatre in Dawson, Yukon. Her narration is punctuated by the myriad of ghostly voices who came to the Yukon in search of gold, the original builder of the theatre and many of the quirky performers working at the theatre.
One of the many joys of watching a Fringe show is that there are so many new and innovative ways a performance is presented to us. How to become a Spinster by Peppermill Productions comes in the form of a seminar. The result is a lively, hilarious and interactive take on the subject of being single, which gets much deserved spotlight instead of the oh so clichéd quest for love.
Diana Galligan and Wanda Carroll start the show energetically, throwing questions into the audience. “What does a spinster mean to you?” they ask. “Fun,” says an audience member. A simple, but most perfect word to describe the show. They take us through ten practical and amusing steps towards achieving lifelong spinsterhood and thus happiness and fulfillment. Each of these steps is a comic sketch that had the audience doubling over with laughter.
After watching your one woman show Everything I Need, playing at the Toronto Fringe, I wanted to run across the floor and give you a hug! I saw so much of my own struggles and triumphs in you that I am inspired, reaffirmed and motivated to go after the things I really want.
Seeing all the leading parts given away to other people, you realize that you’re “A princess who could save herself.” Every young girl needs to hear that. And every woman needs to believe it. We’re not alone in our struggles and we have everything we need to succeed. Thank you for showing us that.
