The Martlet

WHAT: Victoria’s 23rd Annual Fringe Theatre Festival WHERE: Various Victoria locations WHEN: Aug. 27 to Sept. 6 HOW MUCH: $15 for single tickets, $99 for a pass

Whether it’s your brain, heart or smile that has atrophied over the course of this sweltering summer repose, Victoria’s 23rd Annual Fringe Theatre Festival promises to tickle your culture bone back into shape in time for the upcoming fall semester.

The Fringe is an internationally celebrated arts festival, with long-standing events in nearly every continent. This year, Victoria acts as the penultimate host on the world circuit. With over 50 productions, both foreign and local, running from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6, hundreds of performances will be provided for every palate. The festival isn’t only an opportunity to see theatre from across the globe, but also a great chance to observe talent from our very own bunny-ridden campus. This year, three productions will showcase individuals in UVic’s theatre programme.

BOYGIRL

BOYGIRL, written by Phoenix sweetheart Rielle Braid, examines the struggles and joys of changing relationships throughout the stages of a person’s life by highlighting the awkward, humorous and painful moments that come with all maturities and lifestyles. Directed by UVic graduate Madeleine Wilson, the play is grounded by forces of the university, as Alex Plouffe and Samantha Richard, both students in UVic’s theatre program, will star as “Boy” and “Girl” respectively. If their recent performances with Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre are any indication of what to expect in BOYGIRL, audiences should prepare to have their hearts warmed by these charming performers. You can catch this production at St. Andrew’s School (1002 Pandora), or for more information visit boygirl2009.com.

Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me

Plouffe can also be seen with Liam Volke and Shaan Rahman in MBUH Productions’ Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, written by internationally-acclaimed playwright, poet and translator Frank Guinness. The play, which received a Tony Award nomination for Best Play in 1993, discusses the break-down of cultural borders and nationalism within a climate of terrorism and intolerance.

Directed by UVic’s Darcy Stoop, one dollar from every ticket sold for this production will go to Amnesty International. For a topical play that entertains as is challenges worldviews, seek out this production at St. Andrew’s School.

The Peter ‘n Chris Show!

You can’t get much more topical than a play that deals with students trying to cope during a recession. Starring UVic theatre graduates, Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson, The Peter ‘n Chris Show! With Peter ‘n Chris!! is a loosely autobiographical story of “Peter” and “Chris,” who find themselves with Bachelor degrees and empty pockets when the recession threatens to rob each character of what little dignity he has left. The play encapsulates how graduates are being forced to work jobs they never went to school for, and how each person deals with that differently.

Through physical comedy and outrageous characters, Carlone and Wilson take the quarter-life crisis on with an absurdist edge to their humour. Partake in this wildly unpredictable comedy at the Downtown Activity Centre (755 Pandora Avenue).

With such acts as these to delight and provoke, it is plain to see the fuel behind the theatre department’s reputation for excellence.

Of course, this is a mere sprinkling of the wonders you’ll find at this year’s festival.

For more on all acts available at the Fringe Festival, tickets and information can be acquired online at victoriafringe.com.