Blind To Happiness @ Espace 4001 (Geordie) Venue #3. By Maple Suroor Productions (Kuwait).
Tim C. Murphy is not blind to creating thought provoking and intellectual theatre. A very original and intelligent play that one will enjoy more if you just sit back and trust the performer to make you happy. A solo performance that captivated my attention and that held my interest from the moment he set foot on stage. A creation of three separate very distinct and unique characters; One that is based on a true to life individual, and two that are imaginary. I applaud this type of solo play as opposed to the usual 'It's all about me.' dribble. It demonstrates true talent! 5 cents. Dee Arr

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Miss Sugarpuss Must Die! At MAI Venue #9.
Lets hope she doesn't! What a wonderful show shootin' straight from the hip! And 'HIP' it is. Cute, curly, staggering all the way to the vaudeville stage, Miss Sugarpuss tells the tale of how she grew up into being the troubled Holly Gautier Frankel. Seems that through some difficulty, out of some life challenges, and coupled with sadness and a desire to empower her creativity, Miss Sugarpuss was born to ignite and set fire to Holly's heart and ass; -wigglin' it onto the Burlesque scene. The problem is, does she take up too much room and garner all the glamour while Holly fights to find her true self? Go see for yourself and find out who lives to tell the tale? Exquisite vocals, sex appeal, powerful dancing and shimmying: Holly's got it all and then some. Directed by Paul Van Dyke. 5 cents. Scooby Doo

Miss Sugarpuss Must Die! @ MAI Venue #9. By Tappyco Inc. -Montreal.
Miss Sugarpuss is an amazing show with burlesque, songs, and a lot of humor, great costumes and even some booze. Great lighting design, and a wonderful performance by Holly Gauthier-Frankel. A touching story behind the scenes of the world of burlesque. I loved all of it! I am fan! Forever! 5 cents. Sylvester

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Jesus Jello: The Miraculous Confection at the Freestanding Room Off-Venue #B. Written & co-directed by Joanne Sarazen, and co-directed by Lindsay Wilson.
A stellar all star local cast in a talented ensemble featuring: Joseph Bembridge, Catherine Lemieux, George Bekiaris, Patrick Charron, Tristan D. Lalla, Joanna Noyes, Thomas Preece, and Emily Quaile. All are great and well cast in their roles; stand outs were Joseph Bembridge, Patrick Charron, and Catherine Lemieux who steals the show from the first note to the final tableau we can't take our eyes and ears off her. A clever very well written text, current yet with just the right measure of retro appeal. Costumes, and in particular the compact original set design are also both noteworthy. Get your 'Jesus Freak' on and giggle your jello over to the Freestanding Church and get a taste of this hilarious laugh out load bowl of delightfully inspirational confections. 4 cents. Dee Arr

Jesus Jello is miraculous. -Miles Wilson wakes up in his hospital bed after a mild concussion to behold the face of Jesus Christ in a bowl of lemon lime jello. This causes his family to embark upon a holy crusade of exploitation that gets the attention of a disenchanted gay couple, a recently widowed woman, and God almighty. "After all, who has a bigger God complex than God?" A wonderful incursion into the life's of men and women, into their despair and loneliness, and a gospel of a love over acceptance for the present we all share with one another. 4 cents. RaTaTa

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Afternoon Tea with Jane Austen @ Association Portuguaise Venue #7. By Orange Wine Productions - Montreal.
Fans of Jane Austen, be on the alert! This is your chance to check your knowledge about the spirit behind such beloved stories like: Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, and Sense and Sensibility. With a promise to gain some insight into the famous author the play started out really well with Jane asking questions and interacting with the audience. Tali Brady has created a great character with an impeccably accurate accent. Unfortunately what brings the play down is the lack of direction; the blocking (staging) is very stiff and does not come any further than some basic minimal pacing including the grabbing of papers and books and sipping a cup of tea. I would like to have seen more movement integrated and would have loved to have seen much more dancing at the ball. Alas, Jane Austin remains a mystery. 2 cents. Sylvester

AFTERNOON TEA WITH JANE AUSTEN, Portuguesse Association Venue #7.
Remember when you had to talk in front of the class in high school about your favorite author's life, dressed like him or her and with props? That's what the play feels like, but this student deserves an A+. I didn't read Jane Austen's novels but I've seen the screen adaptations and I was hoping to feel drawn into that universe here, and I got my wish. However, if you're not interested in Jane Austen, then it's not a show that'll win you over, but if you want to learn about her, it's a great way to do so. 3 cents. TinTin

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L'@mour2.com @ MAI Venue #10. By Theatre Conversion/Belvedère - Ottawa.
Cute show about dating web sites and how to handle or to not handle this phenomena. Although the gang is very young and not that experienced as actors, I appreciated the play a lot; it is well thought out and uses hilarious visuals from any dating site you can imagine (If you ever wanted to date a cowboy? It exists!) and covers all the do's and don'ts if you want to make it in the world of the digital discotheque. I left with a smile on my face. En francais. 3 cents. Sylvester
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Les Quatre Petites Filles By Pretium Doloris @ MAI Venue #9. At first, upon walking not knowing what to expect, it takes quite a while to realise what is going on?! The text delivered by the four little girls is just a series of words put together as a child would do to express some tall tale that only they can see in it's full extent. As they go deeper into the play and we get familiar with the children's world, we start feeling what their universe is about and what the little girls are going through. Beautiful visually as well. You'll want to leave your brain at the door and open your heart wide to live this oniric journey with them, and then leave with a lightness of foot and heart. 4 cents. RaTaTa
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Autant s'Emportent les Gens By Sur la coche - Montreal. Petit Campus Venue #2.
I loved this show! I love most musicals and this one is also hilarious from start to finish. The actors all have great comical talent and good voices to match with the catchy tunes. The direction and choreography contribute to the sustained rhythm of the show. It's also fun that the action takes place here in Montreal; it makes us feel that much closer to the characters. I would like it to be made into a bigger and longer production, but maybe the pacing would suffer from it. Go find out what happens to the guy everyone confides in when he needs to confide in someone. 5 cents. TinTin
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La Parade Cachée By La Feintse - Montreal. Hour Stage Venue #4. Written, directed and performed by Maude Bouchard. Music by Yana Ouellet.
Leaving the play thinking "I didnt get it"; And apparently, I wasnt the only one; -It took quite a while before the audience started to applaud at the end. Probably because it felt unfinished. Significance of the title? -I don't even get what the title "Parade Cachée" (Hidden Parade) refers to after seeing the play? It would have been a good idea if the author had completed the puzzle for us. Nevertheless, it is still a nice exploration of emotions, well delivered performance, and supported by a good soundtrack. If you're in for a ride without a expecting to end in any specific destination, then it's a show for you. 2 cents. TinTin
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Recess @ MAI Venue #9. By Keep It Movin' Productions.
A high energy solo performance writen and performed by Una Aya Osato. Miss White a Bronx school teacher decides to let her students be taped on video with messages of hope for the Afro-American president Obama. Takes the audience into the hearts and minds of the children. Touching stories from the kids who have not got much to rely on or look forward to in their lives. Una plays all the characters and is amazing when switching from one to another with humor and tragedy, but above all a feel of reality that is deeply touching. 5 cents. Sylvester

Recess By Keep it Movin' Productions.
A one woman multimedia show that rocked and moved me in ways that will stay with me for quite awhile. Una Aya Osato is a teacher from New York City and from her years of experience decided to write and perform this piece that is so very touching. She delightfully plays all the boys, girls, and adults that interchange from video to stage very smoothly. How misunderstood children can be and all the details of their precious and complicated lives in the Bronx weave a story that grabs you line after line and pulls you into feeling like your one of them in the playground. Children that are funny, energetic, and sad, each living through the experience of growing up in a world run by adults who end up being more affected by the children then they realize. A subtle yet powerful piece that reflects timelessly on the education system in ways that almost everyone can relate to. 5 cents. Scooby Doo

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7 (x1) Samurai @ MAI Venue #9. Written, directed, and performed by Davis Gaines, Arlington Virginia.
David is like WOW! from the world of mime. Comes to us with incredible credentials and great reviews touting his best solo show in DC and Florida. How does one encapsulate a 3 1/2 hour movie into a 60 minute show? Somehow David accomplished this with humour and impeccable mime skill. However, I was just as bored here as I was watching the movie. If you loved the 7 Samurai then surely you'll love this. Scooby took a cat nap and couldn't wait for a fire hydrant break. There were lots and lots of laughs and cheers from the rest of the audience however. 5 cents (for the production) 1 cent (for the dialogue). Scobby Doo
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MORE DANCE MOVES from the Hoofers @ FRINGE XX:
Oppo @ Tangente Venue #1. By Imbroglio - Montreal.
Two wonderful dance pieces by two great movers, Stu McIntyre and Caroline Rochefort. One piece is quite poetic, the other piece theatrical and very comical. Merging aerials, multimedia projection, dance theatre, and great acting (which is rare for dancers in general) to create a double bill that will appeal to everyone from contemporary art enthusiasts to a general audience. Athletic, vibrant and humorous. I do not want to give to much away as I was pleasantly surprised by both pieces. 4 cents. Sylvester

Oppo @ Tangente Venue #1. By Imbroglio - Montreal.
The running time is 50 minutes, not 60 as listed. There are two parts to this production: A solo "Cheyen" by Caroline Rochefort with 20 minutes of aerials from a white sheet suspended from the ceiling; no dancing, or big CdS moves here, just some elaborate stretching. Good sound-music selection and video projection. A 10 minute intermission (we are asked to exit and return) to remove the sheet, the second part starts off as a duet with Rochefort and Stu McIntyre, who is strikingly tall for a male dancer btw. Slow in getting started this part finally get moving and saves the production with it's originality, acrobatics, and theatrics. Good chemistry too. 3 cents. Dee Arr

Aureila and Imago @ Tangente Venue #1. By Brianna Stark - Vancouver.
A fast paced high energy music multimedia solo performance. Synchronizing video imagery with expressive movement. Great projections, great soundtrack, and a strong performance. A bit to long and also not challenging enough as a choreography, but Brianna has a great presence which was fascinating to watch. 3 cents. Sylvester

Aurelia and Imago @ Tangente Venue #1. By Brianna Stark.
Is just that for my heart: STARK! An intellectual attempt at the questionable evolution of life and although chocked full of many different types of media, I felt very little interest after the first five minutes. I kept hoping something would kick in and rock my world. However, nothing changed by the time I left the theatre other than my thirst for inspiration. To me there's nothing worse than a date without 'Scooby Snacks' and boy was I hungry after this one. I wished she would have kicked off those damn character shoes and felt the Earth's support. She was always searching for her footing and balance and it was extremely distracting. Perhaps it was intentional??? I wanted to see her feet on the ground getting down right gritty for us. 2 cents. Scooby Doo

Three @ La Chapelle Venue #10. By Our Productions - Montreal.
The MAP Project is an ongoing theatre research group exploring the mind, action, and personality. Searching for identity by young Mile End type-hipsters who whine about how life sucks. Lots of modern (offensive) language, "fuck" and "shit" all over the place. Reality television scenes, peer group meetings, beer can rituals and some nice narcissistic 'nowadays' scenes combined with a lot of repetition of the text.... Couldn't really get into it enough to hold my attention throughout, but might be a nice mirror for the younger audience. 2 cents. Sylvester

Cache ce péché que je ne saurais voir... @ La Chapelle Venue #10. By Tarente Théâtre - Laval.
Nice concept using 7 keywords to construct scenes about modern every day life. Alas, a bit predictable and in parts somewhat overacted. En Francais. 2 cents. Sylvester

CREATION @ MAI Venue # 9. By Le Corps Entropique - Lyon, France.
An accordionist, an actress, and a light man on a bike to get the lights going that surround the actress and the musician are the principle elements of this performance piece. The light experiment is nice although it does not add any enhancement to the piece itself. The story is about the women's body, and evolves from head to toe about pregnancy and the delivery of life. There were some touching moments but the performance was stuck when it comes to the movement. The visual was impressive at first with a large red drape all over the stage but there was not much more development and exploration there. En francais. 2 cents. Sylvester