#hamontfringe

Performances at: Tourism Hamilton Visitor Centre (26 James Street North, Hamilton ON)

The venue at Tourism Hamilton’s Visitor Centre was at near capacity and among me were several mothers talking about their kids. I had a moment of worry....would I identify with any of what I was about to see? Thankfully, I can say yes. Yes, I did. 

My Breast Self depicts one woman’s struggle with breastfeeding, and every new parent’s desire to be the “perfect’ parent. Writer and actor Emanuela Hall provides a solid performance here as her story reveals the hardships, uncertainties and hopes needed when you are faced with motherhood. There are some very poignant moments that touch on post-partum depression and the envy I can only imagine is very real for mothers who struggle with breastfeeding talking with mothers who have no issues with it. It is very personal and eye-opening. 

While not a mother myself, I know of several new moms who would benefit greatly from this production. To know that you are not alone. That is what this show provides and does so with great empathy and heart. Do go and see this one.

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Performances at: The Player’s Guild (80 Queen Street South, Hamilton, ON)

Bad Ideas is a collection of 9 stories, told by just 4 actors (Maddie Krusto, Mykola Paskaruk, Bil Cho, and Kyle Billie), through 33 characters. It is a variety of stories about human beings (fantastical or not) and what brings out our best and worst qualities. The audience visits the American Frontier, a technical titan meeting in Silicon Valley, the results of a botched crucifixion, and the struggles of dementia.

It’s difficult to write about each of the 9 stories without giving away the twists and surprises.  Suffice it to say that while not every story or genre will speak to you, there is undoubtedly something for everyone. The cast provides moments of laugh out loud hilarity, deep reflective moments, unexpected tears and great physicality throughout.

Some of my personal favourites included “Head,” “Pieces” (which would be a real treat as a full-fledged production), and “Invisible.” I firmly believe this kind of storytelling allows us to see things that Notapom Productions might want to workshop further. There are several here that are deserving of that treatment and that would have a significant impact on their intended audiences.

A longer show at 90 minutes, Bad Ideas is full of good ones. Be sure to see it!

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15 shows over 3 days. May the travel odds be ever in my favour! NO LATECOMERS :P (seriously, no latecomers...be sure you allow for traffic, travel, parking and time to get situated because these schedules are tight and must start and end on time!)

Friday July 20th

6pm- Director’s Cut at the Zoetic (Concession Street)

8pm- Under the Apple Tree at the Zoetic (Concession Street)

10:30pm- Dating Myself at The Player’s Guild (80 Queen Street South)

Saturday July 21st

1pm- The Elephant Circle at The Player’s Guild (80 Queen Street South)

2:30pm- Bitch Island at The Zoetic (Concession Street)

4:30pm- Sheer Criminal Genius at The Zoetic (Concession Street)

6pm- Heatwave at Theatre Aquarius- Studio Theatre (190 King William Street)

8:40pm- Scaredy Cat at The Staircase’s Elaine Mae Theatre (27 Dundurn Street North)

10pm- The Year and the Two of Us Back Here at The Staircase’s Main Stage (27 Dundurn Street North)

Sunday July 22nd

12:30pm- How I Became Canadian at Theatre Aquarius- Studio Theatre (190 King William Street)

3pm- Wayyyy Off Broadway at The Staircase’s Main Stage (27 Dundurn Street North)

4pm- Final Broadcast at The Pearl Company Theatre (16 Steven Street)

6pm- Eli The Musical Guy and Pearl the Shakespearean Girl at The Player’s Guild (80 Queen Street South)

8pm- Through the Woods at The Player’s Guild (80 Queen Street South)

(Reviews by Channah Cohen, Rebecca Costie, Beverly Horton, Allison M. Jones, Tamara Kamermans, Tom Mackan, Rachel More, ...

The Yellow Wallpaper

By Jen Dawson Published July 25, 2014

Playwright: Kristi Boulton (asst Matthew Bandura and Emiliano Bravin)

Director: Kristi Boulton

Cast: Hanah Itner as Charlotte, Sarah Granger as Wallpaper Woman, Michael Patricelli as John, Claudia Spadafora as Jenny, Nick Kozij as Henry, Kristi Boulton as Rachel, Philip Wonder (Understudy John/Henry)

Show Type: Drama

Audience: General

Warning: Mature Content

Running Time: 75 Minutes

I read Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story The Yellow Wallpaper too many years ago, back in my first year English class at Mac. It was right around the time I was listening to The Beautiful South - I was a particular fan of their macabre song "The Woman in the Wall".

If you know the short story, written in 1892, you'll know women in walls is an important part of the tale. So is psychological violence, misogyny thinly disguised as medicine, and bad décor.

Gilman's story is a first person recounting of a woman's descent into madness at the hands of her doctor-husband and some really ugly yellow wallpaper.

The story would easily lend itself to the one-woman show format - a Fringe classic. Instead, writer, director, producer and designer Kristi Boulton has chosen to mount a more ambitious production, featuring six cast members, a crew of seven and a 75-minute script that intelligently quotes from the story only when the protagonist writes in her journal.

The script hammers home the feminist themes of the story, which are explored from different perspectives by each of the characters Boulton has created. Costumes, the set and makeup are all effective.

But the play really comes alive through creative lighting and distorted sound, which convey the psychological drama and the understated horror of the world Gilman envisioned.

Adaptations of The Yellow Wallpaper, it turns out, are relatively common fare at Fringes around the world. I stumbled across online reviews for versions staged in Edinburgh, Dublin, London and Seattle. Now there's a review for Hamilton's production.

Wallpaper's 4th review!

The Yellow Wallpaper

Though The Yellow Wallpaper is one of the longer shows in the festival, I was enthralled for the entire performance. That being said, condensing minor scenes and interactions would have improved pacing. In this way the piece was not necessarily gripping or thrilling, but still beautiful and interesting. Mise-en-scene elements worked well together to pull the audience down with Charlotte (Hanah Itner) as she slowly loses her mind. For example, the gobo choice signifying night was perfect and the repetitive use of it mimicked the character’s inner turmoil. Every day is truly the same in Charlotte’s isolated room and the only sources of inspiration are the lovely creatures in the wallpaper. Sarah Granger is a mesmerizing force as Wallpaper Woman and makes us wish we could go to her yellow realm. I was constantly craning to spy movement in the patterns of the wallpaper.

Well, last night the 11th Annual Hamilton Fringe Festival officially ended and on an incredibly high note as we took home the Best of Venue for all the BYOVs!

But it also means that The Yellow Wallpaper has been put to rest once more. On Saturday we packed up the chairs, the desk, the crib and took apart our glorious wall for the final time. It was an incredibly emotional and humbling experience watching it be stripped and taken down piece by piece, but at the same time it was thrilling.

This Fringe has been so different from my other experiences. There’s something so magical about watching something you lovingly crafted be performed and appreciated on stage. I now more than ever understand the term “it’s my baby”.

I’m extremely proud of the work my cast and crew did. Working with them was amazing, and the people at The Players’ Guild were outstanding. Reading the reviews and chatting with people after the show, watching and hearing about how it affected everyone differently… it was incredible. I can’t begin to be able to try and explain how rewarding that part of this experience was.

I achieved my goal of getting people to go out after the show, share a coffee and talk about it. Achievement unlocked!

Although, if I’m being honest, putting on the production was only 60% of why the Fringe was so phenomenal this year. What truly made this experience special were the people.

I have never felt so inspired and excited about theatre as I did these past few weeks, nor have I ever experienced such warmth and support from a community as I did from the artists and volunteers that made up this crazy festival. It was simply sensational.

Hamilton is such an inspiring place when it comes to the arts and the Fringe created this glorious hub and playground of creativity that bred originality. You were never just a singular until of theatre kids working on a show. You were a community of supportive players. Some days you were on stage but then some you got to spend in the wings watching and beguiling other artists, and the shows this year were on another level of amazing from any other festival I’ve been a part of.

This year I was able to take in: Romeo and Juliet: An Escapist Comedy – An outstanding comedy to be commended for the incredible writing and portrayal of a true-to-form Woody Allen wonder (Laura, Tyler, Sean) Jesters Incognito – Our partner show and one of the most brilliant and touching pieces of theatre I’ve seen in a very long time (Harry) A Language for Dogs – Such a brave and heart wrenching production put on by some of the most inspiring and creative minds I’ve ever encountered (Aaron) Places – This play moved me in a way I haven’t been by a performance in a very long time. Kudos to it’s truth and honesty (Michael) Mommy’s Mask – A wonderfully creepy and original piece by one of the first people to give me shot in the Hamilton theatre community (Peter) On the Rocks – Hilarious, creative and wonderfully choreographed. Who knew villains could be so much fun? (Robert, Jesse) Bell Ringer – Such a beautifully designed piece that was wonderfully acted and so imaginative (Taryn, Jessica, Philip, Danny) Fast Food Love – Always good for a laugh and brought me back to my roots! (Carly, Jason, Jessica, Paddy) Tomes – Improv at it’s finest and most wonderfully ridiculous. I’ll cherish my book forever.

That’s only 9 shows out of 45 and I wish I could have seen more, had time permitted. What I saw though was the heart and soul of Hamilton’s passion for the arts, and let me tell you my friends, it was awe-inspiring. I had no idea how much sheer, raw talent we had within our city. I’m in the best kind of shock.

Getting to know so many of the people involved was outstanding too. I’ve made connections that I hope will last for years to come. I finally got to talk to some of my artistic idols and fan-girled hard on multiple occasions. Only on the final night was able to try and regain some composure around certain people *cough-Woody Hamil-cough*.

So to my cast and crew, Hanah, Michael, Claudia, Sarah, Nick, Rose and Krista, thank you for taking this crazy journey with me and embracing the show with all of your heart and souls. I wouldn’t want to change a thing and I will love you and cherish you forever for making this show the wonder it was.

Thank you Harrison and Celeste for your constant support and congratulations for putting on the most incredible and wonderful show. You are both outstanding.

Thank you to Margaret for constantly being there to support and be the best advice giver a girl could ask for.

To all the artists, you are and continue to be an inspiration and I’ve been so grateful to share the stage and the experience with you.

This has truly been one of the most magical and fulfilling times in my life, an incredibly moving and humbling journey. I am elated and beyond excited at the opportunities I have been given and that await all who participated in the festival. What comes next is uncertain but I know that it will be insane and wonderful and scary and simply fantastic.

For now I’ll say “Until next year” to the Fringe, but I hope to the artists and all those involved I can extend the invitation to enjoy warm beverages together and talk art any time.