MATT CHEETHAM

On the eve of the Saskatoon Fringe festival, the Broadway Theatre plays host to a preview night that showcases a brief snippet of each of the thirty seven plays featured in this year’s festival.

This year’s preview night was a fast paced two hour event. Despite a few acts going overtime, it moved at a brisk pace and still maintained the atmosphere of the upcoming festival without rushing the audience.

The evening was moderated by Fringe associate producer, Berkley Staite, who successfully weaved himself throughout the introductions and closing of each of the two minute previews. Staite’s strength was bringing a lively presence and a comic sensibility that not only played off the crowd but also helped when an act went overtime and he had to quickly get them off the stage.

This year’s line up promises to be at least one thing: diverse. There are children plays, clowns, one man shows, singers, comedies, dramas and bromances, as well as something that can only be described as “Not For Children.” The preview night was the perfect venue for the artists to promote themselves and show the audience a two minute preview of their work.

I’ve included a few brief summaries of some of the more interesting plays below:

Big Shot is a darkly-comic fast-paced thriller and one-man show performed by Jon Lachalan.

It’s Been Taken features the bromance of two slacker best friends who have to battle against a corporate comics empire. It’s self-described as the Scott Pilgrim comics with Home Alone-style traps.

Jem Rolls Is Pissed Off! is a one-man show featuring Jem Rolls hilariously talking about life.

Progressive Polygamists is the story of two sister wives living in a tiny compound who embark on a spiritual journey.

Shoot! Get Treasure! Repeat! is a series of short vignettes that feature multiple stories and characters that offers glimpses into their heightened realities. [A full review of this play will be available tomorrow.]

Twenty Five is a new musical by the creator’s of last year’s hit, Death Live. It features songs about real-world struggles and modern hardships.

Two Corpses go Dancing, adapted from a short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer and directed by Andrew Taylor, features two dead souls who get mixed up in an eternal battle with the Devil.

The Wet Dreamcatcher is an erotic adventure that takes the audience to unsettling and unexpected places.

This is a just a small sampling of what the Fringe has to offer this year with its 37 play line up.

The Fringe is currently in progress on Broadway Avenue. Check out www.25thstreettheatre.org for additional information on venues, times, dates and ticket prices.

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image: The Saskatoon Fringe Festival