Fringe festivals are the theatre-lover’s mecca. An annual celebration of theatre for all featuring more than 700 performances over 11 days, this year Vancouver Fringe begins on September 10 on Granville Island.
Full of full-length plays, one acts, one-man shows, musicals, immersive theatre and more, tickets for Fringe festivals are inexpensive and can be bought in bulk to save money for all the shows you’ll definitely want to see.
Self-identified as “part theatre, part party,” it opens with an opening night fundraiser and concert with previews of performances to come during the festival. A highlight for regular Fringe-goers is the Fringe-For-All, a fast and furious preview event where artists perform two-minute teasers for their upcoming shows, hosted by David C. Jones and is a little bit like theatre speed dating.
Now in its 31st year, Vancouver Fringe is B.C.’s largest arts festival and thousands of people visit multiple shows. Shows you see at Fringe are uncensored, unjuried and unlike anything you’ll see again. Whether you pick shows based on name, location, schedule or buzz from social media, everything is unique and always worth the time and money.
Due to the popularity of Fringe, tickets can get snapped up quickly, particularly for the half-priced performances, or those with strong marketing who have generated a buzz before the festival even begins.
Every visitor to Fringe is required to purchase a one-off membership to the festival, and tickets are usually $14. Most shows will offer at least one performance at half price, so it’s advised to keep an eye out for these and make the most of them. Packages of four, 10 or 30 shows can be purchased in advance if you’re really keen to make the most of what the Fringe has to offer, but it’s also important to make time for the other events in the festival.
For a pre or post-show refreshment, the Big Rock Brewery Fringe Bar is the place to be. It has free musical entertainment every night, drinks until late and typically quirky theatre-folk to keep you company. Organized by entertainment coordinator Corbin Murdoch, the Fringe Bar is where all the music takes place. He describes it as “a festival within a festival” -- and with 11 nights of free music, there’s sure to be something to interest everyone.
At the heart of Granville Island and the heart of the festival, Murdoch describes the atmosphere as “European-style.” Featuring an eclectic mix of performers, which in part is representative of the Fringe itself, many performers are Vancouver based -- some with a very dedicated following.
“It’s a great way for audiences and actors to interact -- audiences go there after a show and can mix with the actors in between. You get this kind of vibrant atmosphere,” he said. “It’s really great.”
Music happens between 8 and 10 p.m. every night, with more entertainment until late. Some performers are part of annual traditions -- for example the square dance and bluegrass Monday night groups, and karaoke and hip-hop nights.
This year, highlights from the free music program include City of Glass, Adrian Teacher and the Subs, Supermoon and Wooden Horsemen, featuring some of the city’s most in-demand musical acts.
Always recommended are shows featuring UBC alumni, and we've put together a list of our top picks of the Fringe.
Just Watch Me: A Trudeau Musical -- If you like your Canadian politics with a side of jazz hands, then this might be the Fringe show for you. The musical deals with serious topics with a comedic edge -- a satire with serious issues.
CLIMB! -- What happens while aerial artists learn to fly? The premier collaboration, filled with aerial stunts and slack rope walking, between UBC alumni Meredith Hambrock and Esther de Monteflores at the Vancouver Fringe Festival explores the learning we all experience through the medium of circus.
The O.C.: The Musical -- This over-the-top retelling of the popular ‘teen soap opera’ pokes fun at the pop culture of the 2000s and playfully mocks the trademark melodrama that made this series a cult-classic -- exaggerating tales of teenage love, angst, friendship and sex along the way.
He Roars -- Drawing inspiration from her own life, playwright Kirsty Provan, who also plays Rose, developed He Roars over the course of five years and based the story on her interviews with soldiers and Special Forces members at military bases in Edmonton.
Alone in the Universe -- In an hour long one-man performance, comedian Adam Pateman is launched into outer-space to find the meaning of the universe. Unfortunately, he also finds himself forced to explain to an omnipotent alien why humankind needs to keep existing.
The Fighting Season -- Inspired by true experiences of the playwright, The Fighting Season audiences can expect to at least gain an intimate glimpse at how emotionally tense and draining such a duty can be.
Love is for Superbeasts -- Revolving around two serial killers in love with each other, the piece is simply a portrayal of how both of them interact with each other, and as a result, provide clues about their murderous psyche. The audience also take a role in performance.
Oh the Humanity -- Described as “intelligent, witty and dark comedy,” Oh the Humanity has five settings throughout the show. Each is different from the others but pull on similar concepts for the audience to determine.
Executive director of Vancouver Fringe, David Jordan is looking forward to seeing as many different shows as possible.
“There are different ways to pick shows, and I really think it depends on your personality,” he said. “I personally would recommend our program guide because there are over 700 performances, you wouldn’t ever be able to see them all.”
Booking online is advised, particularly for half-price shows, however tickets are available up to 20 minutes before start time.
As well as the usual exciting mix of Fringe shows, this year Vancouver Fringe is welcoming technology-based theatre in the form of augmented reality theatre show DAREU. Participating artists have created short pieces to be experienced using smartphones or tablets. Each story is discovered by exploring a specific location and are connected by the theme of “risk” -- appropriate for the risks you might be taking in picking a Fringe show.
Every year over 600 volunteers help organize and support the event. Roles include office staff, front of house, bar staff and technical positions, and are a great way to hone your skills in these areas. Since performers collect 100% of the $14 price tag for each show, volunteers are the lifeblood of the festival. They also receive a volunteer rush pass, which means a ticket to any show that isn’t sold out.
“There were 12,000 total volunteer hours last year,” said Jordan. “They’re a huge part of the festival -- lots of them are really keen theatre goers so they can go to see shows that have just started up and can start spreading the word, making more people go see the shows.”
“Part of it is viewing some great theatre, and part of it is social -- that’s the best part of the festival,” said Jordan. “You can go see two shows, have some discussion about them, talk to the artists themselves. The direct connection with artists is what makes Fringe so special and unusual.”
Share this article
