The 2018 edition of Vancouver Fringe Festival is onstage from September 6th to 16th, bringing 11 days of theatre for everyone. Since 1985, Vancouver Fringe Festival has consistently produced “Vancouver’s Best Arts Festival” (as voted by Georgia Straight readers), with the mission to cultivate artists and audiences to create an open and vibrant independent theatre community.
Vancouver Fringe Festival employs an everyone is welcome selection process, drawing the mainstage performances out of a hat. Giving all artists from novice performers to veteran theatre companies, the chance to participate, and artists receive 100% of the box-office revenue during the festival. To make sure everyone has the opportunity to experience live theatre, Vancouver Fringe Festival keeps ticket prices affordable for all, most shows are just $15 or less. Some performances employ a pay-what-you-can policy.
Mainstage shows centre around Granville Island at the Revue Stage, Performance Works, and Waterfront Theatre. Other shows in the BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) category allow artists to stage their performances in unique and different venues, and in collaboration with The Only Animal, at site-specific performances.
With more than 100 performances over the run of the festival it can be hard to select your personal program, so join The Georgia Straight Fringe-For-All, September 5th at 8pm, and write your notes as 40 companies and performers offer a two minute taster of their show to entice you to put them on your must-see list.
A few of the diverse performance for this Vancouver Fringe Festival include:
Big Sister – A One Woman Show About Sisters : A comedy about the relationship between two sisters and what happens when one of them changes, Big Sister explores a world of evil siblings, fat shaming, and unlikely collaboration. Written by Little Sister Deborah Vogt, performed by Big Sister Naomi Vogt, directed by award-winning Jamie King, playing at Revue Stage.
The Shape of Things : New Westminster’s Heckin’ Good Theatre brings acclaimed playwright Neil Labute’s biting tale of love, lust, and betrayal to The Cultch Vanity Culture Lab
Weirdo: Playwright Robbie T, a magician, yes, a magician, takes audiences on a one man journey, from socially awkward to utterly inept, through a mix of storytelling, magic, and hilarious overshares, Robbie reveals his inner weirdo, and encourages you to embrace your own. Onstage at Performance Works.
La Palabra en el Tiempo : Victoria’s Palabra Flamenco present a blend of poetry and flamenco, with dancer Denise Yeo, poet Garth Martens, guitarist Gareth Owen, and singer Veronica Maguire plunging mythological depths and excavate human shadow. Playing at Studio 16.
The Bitter Tears Of Petra Von Kant : An intimate melodrama about a successful fashion designer who becomes obsessed with a cold-hearted aspiring model. Presented by Midtwenties Theatre Society, an all-female cast tackles playwright Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s themes of narcissism, intergenerational love, sexuality, and sadomaschocism, as part of the Dramatic Works Series at The Cultch Vancity Culture Lab
In addition to cutting edge theatre, Fringe Festival prides itself one being part festival and part party with live music and fun at the Phillips Fringe Bar located at Ocean Art Works (outside the Ocean Concrete on Granville Island) offering music performances every night, with no cover.
Vancouver Fringe Festival takes place September 6 – 16, 2018, in various venues around the city, mainly centred on Granville Island. Explore the Vancouver Fringe Festival guide and book passes and tickets by visiting vancouverfringe.com