Island Fringe Festival
Ten plays to catch at various locations in Charlottetown
This year’s Island Fringe Festival (IFF) runs from July 31–August 4 and features a lineup of 10 shows and over 40 performances, including drama, comedy, musicals and storytelling, at venues in downtown Charlottetown. The four-day indie theatre and performance festival supports independent, boundary-pushing theatre and live performance at affordable rates.
How It Happened (Charlottetown, PEI), produced by Desert Island Theatre Company, tells the story of Prudence (Hannah McGaughey) and Mitchell (John MacCormac), life-long best friends who suddenly realize one day that they can no longer be friends. Told with humour mixed with moments of unflinching emotional honesty, How It Happened examines the grief and confusion that comes with the dissolution of a platonic relationship, which can often be more difficult than the dissolution of a romantic one. The show is directed by Benton Hartley with assistance from Candace Hagen, and stage managed by Graham Putnam.
Ink Addicted (Orlando, FL) is the first solo-show from tattoo artist Chris Trovador. Audience members will laugh ’til they cry at Chris’ hilarious journey from ink newbie to multi-hyphenate artist—they might even leave with a buzz-worthy tattoo of their own. More than just laughs, this show includes body art as performance, live painting, clowning, poetry, music, dance, and improv.
After The Chorus Line (Charlottetown, PEI), a musical comedy written, produced and performed by Gabrielle Roddy and Gregory Ellard, is a silly and touching look at the way things change as we age. The story is told through two older actors trying to stay relevant and visible in an ever-youthful industry. Each scene is an “audition” that speaks to different elements of aging, as well as the wackiness that is the process of auditioning.
Nostos Collectives brings their latest triple feature of three contemporary dance works, Enchantment (Halifax, NS). With choreography by Jessica Lowe, Marrin Jessome and Rosie Halpin, Enchantment (Halifax, NS) follows a feminist theme, and is filled with striking visuals, athleticism, and emotional and witty storytelling about the woman experience.
Written by Lauren Jean Lawlor and directed by Rebecca Parent, Thinking About a Dog (Charlottetown, PEI) follows Mia, who is trying not to panic as she re-enters the shallow dating scene in her small town. Staying out until last call and hiring a talk show host as her therapist isn’t helping. Her big break hinges on finding something that will.
Written and performed by Julie Bull,Short Circuits (Charlottetown, PEI) is directed by Mariève MacGregor and features soundscapes by Siddhu Sachidananda, Julie Bull, and The Umbrella Collective. Short Circuits asks: How well do you know yourself? Can you identify where you begin, and others end? Have you ever asked yourself, “who am I?” Contemplating these philosophical questions, this show examines the intricacies, tensions, and confusions of a soul having a human experience. By taking the audience on a journey from the head to the heart, this poly-disciplinary show is an exploration of be(com)ing human.
IFF 2024 also features How to be a Vase (Charlottetown, PEI), Thinking about a Dog (Charlottetown, PEI), Cornflake (Montreal, QC), Furniture Boys (Brooklyn, NY), and So an Autistic Priest and a Service Dog Walked into a Bar… (Dorval, QC).
Visit The Guild, home to both the opening and closing events, at 111 Queen Street to purchase tickets, explore art, meet some of the performers, and enjoy family-friendly activities.
The complete IFF performance schedule, individual show details, ratings, and much more are available at islandfringe.com.