I spent New Year’s Eve stone-cold sober in my living room, making a collage (or, in New Age speak, a vision board) of how I would like 2010 to look and feel. I cut up old magazines and découpaged my little hands to death. I listened to records and ate chocolate. I lit some candles. I’m pretty sure my night was on the fringes of what most people did; I’m guessing most of you cracked some champagne, had a few (or a few too many), danced, socialized and got out a little, or at least had some peeps over to your pad.
Since I started this year off on the fringe, I’m going to keep it that way, at least for this weekend. You can also join me out here on the edge by attending 2010’s Next Stage Theatre Festival, put on by the good artsy folks of the Fringe Festival, a celebration of independent plays that runs like a current through the heart of July each Toronto summer. Next Stage, on the other hand, runs from January 6th to 17th and offers us all a chance to escape the post-holiday blues for only twelve to fifteen bucks.
One of my picks for this weekend is Like Father Like Son? Sorry, written and directed by Chris Gibbs, lauded funnyman and king of the one-man fringe show. I know quite a few new lawyer dads (‘tis the season), and Gibbs is apparently quite masterful at conveying the fear surrounding newly minted fatherhood. I also plan on taking in The Red Queen Effect, mostly because I think I might be able to relate to this comedy about a girl named Alice trying to get ahead in a dangerous game involving the Crown Assets Corporate hedge-fund. An updated spin on Wonderland.
Usually, I run as fast as I can to any dramatic play or movie that will be poignant enough to get a few tears flowing. Justin Sage-Passant’s highly rated Quite Frankly promises to fit the bill with its story about a socially awkward man’s relationship with his mother. Icarus Redux is another sure thing — it was a tried, tested and true hit at the 2009 Fringe Festival and it cleverly combines Greek mythology with puppetry, the yearning to fly and sexual sin. What more could you need to get out of the cold and into the warm outskirts of off-beat theatre?
For Next Stage Festival showtimes, click here.
Happy fringing and happy new year!
Leanne is an associate at Heenan Blaikie LLP. She spends her free time indulging in art, film, music and literature and swears that culture tastes better than chocolate. Her column will appear every Friday here on lawandstyle.ca.