Life at Fringe, Day 3 recap

It’s the weekend! And that means the first full day for Fringing and what I’ll bet is a lot of people marathoning through a lot of shows. Here’s the recap.


Having trouble with the video? Watch on YouTube instead.

In today’s vlog, Kurt talks to Jeff Leard of Gametes and Gonads about his time at Ottawa Fringe, Matthew and Kurt get come recommendations from Tony and Not-Tony, and we’re introduced to Freddie Fringe. And more.

If you’re not familiar with the vlog “style” of video-journalism, see the brief note in day one’s article for an explanation.

So today I heard the words “sold out” quite a bit. I heard that Space Mystery… From Outer Space was Fringe’s first officially sold out show (I’m getting much of my news from Twiter today).  Tis Pity She’s A Whore also sold out Friday night. And Dirk Darrow NCSSI sold out this afternoon. It’s this last sold out show that brings me to a tiny point of contention that’s I’ve had this year. That is, the Fringe schedule.

What’s irked me just a bit is the staggered start times. Some (main) venues start at 5, some at 5:30. A couple of longer-than-an-hour shows in main venues also contribute to a dis-synchronicity. Basically what I’m talking about is that, like in the case of Dirk Darrow, if a show is sold out, you’re limited by what you can replace it with. If you’ve made a schedule for 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 shows and your 6:00 sells out, you’re left with limited options. Wait the full hour and a half for your next show, catch a 6:30 and adjust the rest of your night, or hope that the one other venue with a 6:00 is a show you haven’t seen. And yes, I know, I’m possibly over-thinking it, but I can’t be the only person who would totally love it if Fringe had a synchronized schedule across venues. It would make creating and maintaining an efficient attending schedule easier for hardcore Fringers — and those of us trying to schedule multiple reviewers in the most efficient way possible.

BTW, this isn’t really a complaint or a “Fringe, do better” comment. I know some of the organizational challenges involved in setting up something of this scale, and I know how impossible it is for a person outside to know all the reasons that go into the decision making on all levels. It totally is what it is. I bring it up because it annoyed me, and in a perfect world, I would like it that way. That’s all.

Anyway, I was again, a largely absentee Fringer. I did however, race back from Sittsville to make it at 10:14 for the 10:15 showing of Donkey Derby. I fully expected not to make it on time, but I’m really glad I took the chance. Tess Mc Manus has a lot of charm, and infectious enthusiasm, and an Irish accent and, now I know what a Donkey Derby is. Easily the second best show I’ve seen this year.

Hype today is for Space Mystery… From Outer Space - no surprise there. 100 First Kisses, which you heard mentioned in the vlog, is also getting praise on Twitter. Wolves > Boys is another I’m hearing people talk about. It’s ending up on a lot of must see lists. People love a good bromance.

Now tomorrow, day 4, we start shooting the video reviews. Video, sadly, takes a bit more time to organize and produce than print reviews, but they’re correspondingly more fun to watch. After tomorrow, they should be going up pretty regularly. Also, for any show that wants to do a 30 second video promo spot, come and visit us outside Academic Hall between 3:30 and 4:15. We won’t be right at the door, but we’ll be within easy sight. Look for the camera.

In the comments: one recommendation, and why. Go. Also, how many shows did you see today?

See y’all around Fringe. For real.

 

Allan Mackey

About Allan Mackey

Allan Mackey is editor-in-chief of Production Ottawa, which, really, is too fancy a title. He also acts as show producer for Should You See It, making sure you get your answer in just about two minutes every time. He writes stuff and occasionally turns that stuff into movies. Keep being awesome!

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