Review: pomme is french for apple (Fringe)

by Jessica Yen

Presented by Paul Watson Productions, this might be the funniest hour you see at the Fringe. Bahia Watson and Liza Paul have written several hilarious short vignettes that will have you yelling "AMEN!". It's a play about womanhood with all its peaks and perils, but that shouldn't deter men from seeing the show. The entire audience, men and women alike were howling with laughter. You could say the show is feminist, but Paul and Watson are so exuberant and playful that you never feel like you're being preached at. Watson and Paul are a delightful duo, they transform into many different characters, each one with brilliant physicality. I commend them on their clever use of pink circle scarves which had the audience in stitches. Along with short scenes there are also fun songs that you might catch yourself singing later in the day.  I can't wait to see where this show goes next. Go to this show, bring friends! 

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Review: Transit Diaries (Fringe)

by Jessica Yen

Transit Diaries, presented by Alphabet Spoon is a collection of stories as seen through encounters on the TTC. A series of scenes and monologues, this play drags on at 90 minutes. The large cast of 14 which includes a non-speaking chorus, is unwieldy with transitions that either don't make any sense or are just awkward. The show lacked direction and meandered from scene to scene. Stories were started and trailed off or ended haphazardly. Despite the difficulties of a script that has been in development, the speaking cast make the most of what they have. Vanessa Trenton, Monica Serodio, and Joseph Recinos keep the audience laughing and engaged as they negotiate a tense Best friend vs. Boyfriend dynamic. Watching Transit Diaries garners many of the same feelings associated with reading someone's diary. The writing is unfiltered, unclear, raw, and doesn't make much logical sense; yet you experience a few true moments where you can absolutely relate. 

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Review: The Game of Love and Chance

Gil Garratt (photo credit: lucetg.com)

Taking Chances

Marivaux continues to seduce

by Jessica Yen

Hot on the heels of a month-long run at the Centaur Theatre, The Game of Love and Chance has finally arrived at the Bluma Appel Theatre in the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto. This close to 300 year old farce written by Marivaux and adapted and translated by Nicolas Billon will have you smiling in your seat.