Fringe Archives 1990
National Story Telling Theatre
Toronto, Ontario
presented
My Stepmother Taught Me To Make Pizza And Other Stories
by Helen Porter and Sandy Cook
Wind, Water, Stars and Black Flies. Hear four stories from Cottage Country that will awaken your memories and desires. With musicians Bob Stevenson - clarinet, Chyioko - Jazz Flute and Sax.
60 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Vicki Keith Players
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Freshwater Fish
by Hugh McCall
A man, a woman, their neighbour and a fish. Four sides of a twisted love triangle. Too many angles in too small a space. One of them has to go- and it isn't the fish.
40 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
B.A.D Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Illustrated Men
by The Company
The nationally acclaimed comedy troupe brings their unique brand of humour to the Toronto Fringe for the first time. "One of the hits of the Edmonton Fringe!" - The Edmonton Journal. "Hilarious! Not to be missed!" - The Calgary Sun. "...Comedy of which cult followings are made..." The Globe and Mail.
60 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Pistol Group
Toronto, Ontario
presented
34 Calibre Testing
by Jonathan Wilson
Marty has been struck by a mysterious virus that is killing gay men (it could happen!). He visits his ex-lover Tim, not realizing he is now married. All three try to understand their own feelings about death, love, sex quizzes and why an armed elf named Fredrico insists on narrating.
40 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spend Your Rent Theatre
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Warplay
by The Company
War is an endless dance through an endless night; through fields drunk with blood, over soldiers and civilians, huddles millions, rationing laughter with caution; making frantic love while cities burn; Light/Sound/Text/Choreomotion. A new conception of war marches onto the peacetime stage.
60 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dark Underbelly Productions
Edmonton, Alberta
presented
Drinking In America
by Eric Bogosian
With outrageous humour and savage wit, monologuist Eric Bogosian reveals his twisted vision of the American Dream turned Nightmare. In this acclaimed production, Arne MacPherson brings to life a hilarious and disturbing collage of characters, from debased junkies to deluded yuppies. A solo tour-de-force!
70 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Materia Prima
Toronto, Ontario
presented
The Brides
by Harry Kondoleon
In vivid images that tell the tale of a bride jilted by her perfect groom, this play explores the themes of love, role-playing, feminism and Devil worship. Fresh from their triumph at this year's Rhubarb! festival, Materia Prima continues their investigation of innovative, dramatic, and storytelling techniques, combining music, dance and poetry.
40 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
presented
Ordeal By Roses
by Paul Ibey
Following the success of Aesthetes And Decadents, Paul Ibey presents and allegory of Yukio Mishima - novelist, playwright, narcissist, fanatical body-builder and self styled Samurai - in a frank and unexpectedly moving portrait of a man who lived his aesthetic with sinister humour and appalling self-control, urging himself towards a "beautiful death" as the ultimate work of art.
60 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sensible Footwear Theatre Company
London, England
presented
Spit It Out
by Alex Dallas, Alison Field, Wendy Vousden
A subversive cabaret taking a wild, witty look at the on-going battle of the sexes. Is feminism a dirty word? Is the new man faking it? Using humour and song, three "comedic feminist terrorists", The Peak, Vancouver, present an hour of "glorious uninhibited comedy", The Guardian, England.
60 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Son of Incubus Theatre
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Lies Of The Vampire - 2
by Greg Kramer
The vampire in captivity. Look but don't touch. The allegory is AIDS. The issues are illness, survival, loneliness and courage. This is an expansion of Lies of the Vampire (Stage 1) seen earlier this year. An intense and brutal exorcism, directed by Kramer. Warning: bring your own garlic.
60 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Talking Story
by Wendy Peters
A solo comedy about traveling around the World and on the Path of Life. Takes us to Japan, Tibet, India and beyond...A late night encounter with Wendy the Wanderer in an Asian bus station and your life will be changed forever! "Irreverent, enjoyable and ultimately inspiring." The List, Edinburgh.
70 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Toronto, Ontario
presented
The Noam Chomsky Lectures
by Daniel Books and Guillermo Verdecchia
A meta-theatrical onslaught, based on the political writings of Noam Chomsky. A scurrilous, unrelenting and sometimes rabid dissection of political and cultural politics. Brooks and Verdecchia "are both consummate performers." C.B.C Radio. Four performances only. Will sell out.
50 min.
Glen Morris Studio Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Soaring Egal Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Straight Up
by Kerry Mills and Frank Savage
A bar room comedy for lovers. The lighter side of "life in the fast food chain" is turned upside down when in Corporation takes over. A homage to past comedic greats presented Straight Up, with a twist.
55 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Under The Bridge Theatre
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
presented
Adult Child/Dead Child
by Clair Dowie
Natalie Breton performs in this one-woman play which uses a skillful mixture of monologue and poetry to take us on a relentless and acutely intense journey through the life and perceptions of a disturbed child. Mackenzie Gray directs the Canadian premiere of this extraordinary work by one of Britain's newest young playwrights.
60 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Great Big Fags Unlimited
Toronto, Ontario
presented
2-2 Tango
by Daniel MacIvor
One man. And another man. Meet. One man likes the lights off. One man hates the dark. Frightening possibilities. Directed by Ken McDougall. Performed by Steve Cumyn and Daniel MacIvor.
45 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
500 Miles Off Broadway
Toronto, Ontario
presented
More Stuff On The Thing
by The Company
Described by the Toronto Star "jazzy and intelligent", 500 Miles Off Broadway describe their blend of sketches as "comedy theatre." Angela Martin, Frank McAnulty, Barbara Muller, Tim Progosh and Pierre Trudel present human situations honestly - what could be funnier than real life...with a twist.
60 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Josephus And Augustina In "Schmutt!"
by Michael Harms and Denise Norman
Intimacy. Condoms. Oprah. Sex. God. Guilt. The New Age. Josephus and Augustina want to get closer. It hard to do what comes naturally when you think about it. Adam and Eve got kicked out
50 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Way-Off Broadway Productions
Vancouver, B.C
presented
Lunch
by Steven Berkoff
A desperate man. A lonely woman. A chance meeting. Dangerous. Provocative. Unusual. Sexy. Explosive. Hilarious. Violent. Painful. A Way-Off Broadway hit, brought to you be one of Vancouver's most exciting theatre companies. A stunning theatrical tour-de-force.
45 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Friendly Spike Theatre Band
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Gods Of The City
by David Type
You can't beat the clock. You can't beat the day and expect to go unbruised - fighting off robbers and hellhags and shadows. What the punk didn't bargain for was the old man's shield of protection from his invisible gods.
60 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Stiletto Company
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Ladies In Waiting
by Catherine Hayos and Rena Polley
Flora and Rosie, ladies of the ages, think life is full of the stuff fairytales are made of; sugar and spice and all things nice. With a smile on their face, heels on their shoes and a purse in their hand, they sit down to wait.
60 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The "ABC..." Theatre Company
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Lonestar
by James McLure
Lone Star is a One Act Comedy about many things: a Vietnam vet trying to relive "Babylon on the Red River! Sin."...Mar(s) Bar & the immortal-Merle Kimberly's whisk A-Go-Go...Football knee & Hugo, Oklahoma...Dinosaur chips & a 1959 pink Thunderbird Convertible...It's about Lone Star beer.
60 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cabco Theatre Project
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Hacking It
by Dan Delabbio and Keith Kemps
Life comes at you tightly encapsulated and often pushed to the extreme in the taxi industry. When two out of work actors become "hacks" the experience changes their lives and redefines their sense of humour and their sense of self.
50 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Empress Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
I'd Kiss You But...
by Diane Flacks, Victoria Ward and Wendy White
A risky, frisky, no frills, frolic! It's Gothic! It's Groovy! It Rocks! It Raps! A crazy, kooky, colourful collage of characters that have something in common. It's Deep!
45 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Garp Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
The Lincoln Show
by David Huband
What happens to the characters in a 1950's sitcom when they are confronted with the need to perform a "mercy killing"? The feathers fly in this surrealistic black-comedy by David Huband, one of the "Illustrated Men" comedy troupe. "A nice evening out..." Guns and Ammo Magazine.
50 min.
The Toronto Australia New Zealand Club
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pal-Krish Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Manicure & Set...Am I Beautiful Yet?
by Debra Kirshenbaum and Julia Pal
Deedee and Marla. They were just to beauticians trying to do their job. Working their magic on an unsuspecting, unlovely and often unappreciative public. They were at times privately horrified - but always professionally stalwart. So much unnecessary beauty violence. Yes...cosmetic crimes can be prevented.
45 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pea Green Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
The Blue Wall.
by Mark Brownell
The invisible barrier that separates the public from the police. This play explores the lives of four police officers who reveal the tensions, boredom, humour and horror on their side of "The Wall". From the people who brought you last year's Fringe hit "High Sticking".
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
High Horse Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Mirth
by The Company
Pain, grief, humiliation, anxiety, frustration, loneliness, despair, death and...a hummable score. This is the stuff of Mirth: an original comic revue for the insecure. No audience participation.
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Anna Barry
London, England
presented
Annie Wobbler
by Anna Wesker
"Annie, Anna, Annabella: a marvelous trio of women. Subtle, funny - an outstanding piece of writing...ANNA BARRY falls on this feast with fascination skill and inventiveness. A virtuoso piece of acting." Edmonton Journal. "Barry's transformations are remarkable and she regularly earns standing ovations," Globe and Mail.
105 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Toronto, Ontario
presented
David Mills - His Poetry and Songs
by David Mills and Dietrich Hummell
David Mills presents a well-scripted, smoothly paced show highlighting excerpts from two fo his published works - ISOBELLE and THE SOCIAL COMEDY - and arresting and memorable songs of his own composition, in spellbinding entertainment. Marjorie Mutter will enhance the performance with her full, rich piano accompaniments.
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pussycat's Playhouse
Toronto, Ontario
presented
No More Medea and Victorian Peepshow
by Deborah Porter and Diana Cave
Two short black comedies challenge Myth and HIStory in these savage and erotic "cat fights". Performers include Siobhan McCormick, Ellen-Ray Hennessy, Allyson McMackon, Nadia Ross and Peter Hinton. Come and see the fur fly!
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mump and Smoot
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Mump and Smoot In "Caged" With Wog
by Mump and Smoot
Mump and Smoot are clowns of horror; hanging "somewhere between Samuel Beckett and Monty Python." Evil is a stranglehold on their Ummo world. Action: treachery, torment, chaos, theft of the Sacred Cone. Style: borrows from European, Amer-Indian, North American clowning. Language: Somewhere between Sanskirt and Tahitian. Comedy.
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Theatre Asylum
Toronto, Ontario
presented
The Final Push
by Jennifer Caprau, Kathryn Bruce and Anita La Selva
What happened during the final hours of America's most celebrated woman poet? "I am calm. I am calm. It is the calm before something awful." The puzzle that is Sylvia Plath: wife, other, poet. Plath's dramatic poem "Three Women" inspire this journey beyond her words. Directed by Lynda Hill.
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Threshold Theatre
Kingston, Ontario
presented
White Buildings - A response to the life and poetry of Hart Crane
by The Company
A vivid exploration of Hart Crane, the brilliant twentieth century poet. Threshold Theatre evokes and penetrates Crane's world with insight and passion. A striking original work from this dynamic and innovative young company.
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CMS Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
See No Elvis, Hear No Elvis
by Philip Kummel
A tough dialogue on culture and action as thrashed out by desperate and comical people who wonder if they are lamenting the end of history. Lots of laughs, deep abyss.
45 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Gwendolyn
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Hardcore
A sex worker examines the morality of the anti-porn movement. Visually stimulating. Politically challenging. Funny, scary, and explicit.
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Original Species
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Origin Of The Species
by Bryony Lavery
The Entire History of The World, The Universe, and Womankind From The Very Dawn of Time Until Present Day. Molly, an anthropologist, digs up a four-million year-old woman to discover her origins. It's evolution with breasts. Directed by Sally Han. For all homosapiens.
60 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Temperamental Journey
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Claposis
by Audrey Butler
Three lesbians in love, a mannequin called Betty, and a soon to be demolished clothing store, all going backwards in time. "Young, insolent, funny and refreshing." Globe and Mail. A raunchy romp.
55 min.
The Poor Alex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Theatre Voyageur
Toronto, Ontario
presented
"Somebody Stole My Pizza..."
by The Company
Can Sherry find true love? Will Matt and Trixie get over the death of their pet gerbil? For answer to these questions, don't ask us! But, if you want a real good time for 5 Bucks do no miss "Somebody Stole My Pizza..."
55 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Actors' Union
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Love After Death
by Tennessee Williams/adapted by Lindsey Robinson
Tennessee Willaims' short story, "The Resemblance Between a Violin Case and a Coffin", forms the basis for this one-man show featuring Robert Persichini. Tom tells of his sexual awakening in the grandfather preacher's home in Mississippi. He looks from the shadows of his existence into the blinding light of a desolate reality.
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Burn This Theatre Company
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Potatoland
by Kevin Steinberg and Vinetta Strombergs
Do not adjust your seat. We are taking control of the vertical, the horizontal, the real, and the imaginary. Meet Theodore Partridge, an ordinary man who is entering a dimension of sight and sound. He is about to step through a door into...
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Gut Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Into The Eye Of The Candle
by Bruce Bell
From the creator of Tony Trouble comes an explosive and horrific account of life at a Catholic Boys School. One man's journey of physical and mental abuse at the hands of a priest who believes himself to be the 13th disciple of Christ.
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mondo Congreve
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Garden Games
by John Blakey
"But all well-bred people lie!" Dress for Exces. Deceive over Ice. Dine on Delusion. Beverly's Summer Soiree turns into a "well-bred" disaster as she learns the truth about herself and her game-playing friends. A contemporary comedy of manners..
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Quiver Company
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Chicks At Play
by Michelle Power and The Company
Meet the woman "Hanging Around for Goddoss." A multi-disciplinary comic view of coming of age, coming up and coming out.
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Theatre Offal
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Quantum Kumquat And The Chaos Game
by Laura J. Forth
Quantum Physics rains Chaos on the lives of 4 characters. Janine, Daniel, Pierre, and Suzanne are victors and victims of love and lust, treachery and tenderness, weirdness and wildness. Theatre Offal presents this World Premiere which unleashes unconventional alternative to Reality and Theatre.
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Esper Bubley Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Rage
by David Staines
"Why is it that we live in a world where women are assaulted daily by men who are almost never made to account to anyone for what they have done?" (NO SAFE PLACE). Rage seeks to illuminate some of the corners in society where the potential for violence hides.
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Not Kansas
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Rarebit Fiends
by Bill Zaget
A hit from the Edmonton Fringe! Aggie and Silas are youngish. They are in love-ish. Or is it all a dream from eating welsh rarebit? Loosely based on a turn-of-the-century comic strip, this bizarre performance-cabaret stars Zag Dorison and Myna Wallin with movement choreographed by Bill Coleman.
50 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Housebroken Company
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Housebroken
by Andre Alexis and James O'Reilly
Incendiary tracts from two Toronto writers. HOME is a racy, black and white, two hander about immigration in one act. RUDE CIRCUS is a billious affront to the "good life" and everything soft and warn in your bathroom.
60 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Snake Song Theatre Co.
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Melian Dialogue
by Thomas Coyle
One fine morning in the summer of 416 B.C an Athenian battle-fleet arrives at the peaceful island of Melos and puts to death every soul living there. A light-hearted romp through the Golden Age of Democracy.
30 min.
The Annex Theatre
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Pyramid Productions
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Heaven and Earth
by Jacquline Samuda
Ever feel like you're sitting on the quivering lip of chaos? NOW...A black (hole) comedy about everything that's been bugging you lately--Politics, the environment, and dating in the 90's. PLUS! Innocenti buries a foot, and The Man in Charge plays with his toys, to wild applause!
60 min.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Toronto, Ontario
presented
Drag Queens In Outer Space
by Sky Gilbert
The drag queens are in a pretty pickle! "Marlene" has decided to reform and stop being a screaming, melodramatic, teary slut, and instead to become a preppie sweater fag. Oh no! What will her drag queen sisters "Lana Lust" and "Judy Goose" do?
75 min.
The Annex Theatre
