Because I mentioned Keystone Theatre earlier, I thought I’d jump in with some photographic entertainment. From last fall’s Keystone photo shoot by Christian Potenza, here’s me and Adam Bradley (who also appeared in Dragonquest with me), on the train tracks.
This week I finished the first (quite rough) draft of the one-man play I’ve been writing. The next step for me is to put it aside, complete the first draft of the other play I’m working on (The Commandment), and then I can come back to this one and start the revision process. Though I want to start sending the play out to people and soliciting feedback right away, I think that I need to resist this urge. I would rather get some distance from it, then come back to it and try to read it freshly, and see what my opinion is of it. Sending it out right away seems more like an exercise in attempting to get positive “good for you, Phil” vibes from people rather than an exercise in getting actual feedback. I know the play isn’t ready yet for someone else to see it. So, those of you who have expressed an interest in seeing it will have to wait a little bit longer.
In other news, this period of not rehearsing anything has been very good for me. Prior to this I’ve gone from one project to another and between acting and work, the constant “go-go-go” has been taking its toll. The last couple of weeks have given me time to write, and do a little video gaming (moderately, though that is because I don’t have any new ones. The “moderate” gaming will likely end in a couple of weeks, as some new games will be coming out), and just generally relax. This is my “recharge” period since once we get to the fall, work starts with Keystone Theatre as we begin working on our Production of the Belle of Winnipeg, a production based on the silent film genre. This project has been in the works for about 3 years, and it will be good to finally be able to present it to an audience, so I’m really looking forward to it.
Well, now that’s over.
Out of Character closed on Sunday night, to an enthusiastic crowd. There were very few backstage (or onstage) shenannigans, and the show was probably one of the best: it clipped along, the entire cast was “on”, and there was a great energy from start to finish.
The show, overall, was a good experience. We had a lot of fun, and I learned a lot (which is always good).
I have done a bit of thinking on the Fringe BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) experience, however. I love the concept of the BYOV. I love the idea of creating site specific theatrical productions. The downside, however, is whether the BYOV is really a part of Fringe. In most of the “regular” venues, shows rotate on the schedule, never performing at the same time, and often with a day or two in between performances. Since the shows all spend time in the same theatre, when one show is letting out, another show is getting ready to go in. The audiences mingle and word of mouth happens. Also, if a show happens to be sold out, people may hang around and buy tickets for the next show. Actors mingle before and after shows, connections get made, and ideas get shared.
With the BYOV, however, the show exists in a bit of a vacuum. People come to the location specifically for the show that’s performing. Its usually not in a “traditional” theatre space, so people might have trouble finding it. Audiences don’t mingle with the show letting out or coming in, its rare to meet actors from other shows (unless they come specifically to see the BYOV show). Being away from the other venues, means that you lose out on some buzz generating things, such as the audiences mingling, vying for the Patron’s Pick, or the Best of the Fringe.
I’m certainly not complaining though. BYOV shows are always exciting, often experimental, and never quite what you expect. And this was an incredible experience. I just think that to get the full Fringe experience, its best to be in one of the “main venues”.
Another great thing that happened over Fringe, was that I got a much needed kick in the pants on the writing front, and gave myself a goal to have two shows written and ready, so that I can submit one of them for next year’s Fringe Lottery. I’m also starting to wonder about trying to do a Fringe tour, but that’s on the back burner. Right now, the concentration is on the writing.
Including tonight, you have only 3 more chances to see Out of Character. Houses have been really great, and more people are coming each night. Tickets go on sale at 7pm. You can get advance tickets at the Fringe tent, but really…the easiest thing is just to show up early. We open the doors at about 7:30 and start right at 8pm.
Hope we’ll see you there this weekend.
Heading into a day off from performing, I thought I would point out a review of Out of Character that appears in Plank Magazine.
Reviewer Ryan West, says:
Delving into the mysterious and bizarre world of LARPing (Live Action Roleplaying, for the non-geeks), the play foregoes easy humour at the expense of these social outcasts and delivers a surprisingly poignant love story.
A powerful cast flow in and out of their characterizations, with each player donning the mantle of both their ‘real’ persona and the ‘shadow’ one, a fantasy identity created to exist in an imaginary world of intrigue and deception
Read the full review here.
Remember: although we are dark tonight, there are 5 more chances for you to see Out of Character, starting again on Wednesday July 8th. Show details can be found here.
Tonight is our sixth performance of Out of Character. After that, we have just five more performances.
I have really been enjoying the run of this show. The cast is a lot of fun to play with, and we’ve been having some very receptive and appreciative audiences.
Last night, I learned a valuable lesson: even though they serve jerk chicken at the Fringe tent, and even though it is delicious…do not eat jerk chicken before the show. I did this yesterday, and it was definitely a mistake. Just remember, jerk chicken is an after show treat.
Dark tomorrow, and then we head into our final five performances. Hope to see you there.
For people who aren’t regular Fringers, there is a very important thing that might not be known: for plays in the Fringe, the most important thing for any show is Word of Mouth. Advertising may be important for Fringe, but Word of Mouth is king. Shows live or die by the buzz they receive (or don’t receive). If you liked a show, the best thing you can do for that show, is tell someone. You can tell your friends, you can tell fellow fringers. Or, you can leave a review at the Eye Weekly Fringe page, where the weekly newspapers reviews mix with audience reviews, to give potential audience members as many opinions on all the shows as possible.
I’m not just saying this because I’m in a show in the Toronto Fringe that could use some good buzz. All Fringe shows could use good buzz. So, if you saw something you liked…tell someone.
Last night, we opened Out of Character at the Fringe.
I will admit to some nervousness (ok, a lot). I wasn’t sure how the show would play for an audience. I wasn’t sure if an audience would get it. And I wasn’t sure if I would remember the lines for a certain scene (yes, that scene).
In the end, we had a small but engaged audience, who seemed to really enjoy the show. I remembered my lines. The audience got it, and all was well with the world.
At the end of the night, I was informed that a reviewer from Eye Weekly had been in attendance. Here’s hoping that they are kind. The review official Eye review, plus audience reviews will appear here.
Tonight, we’ll do it again.
Backstage, Kat Leonard watches the onstage action:
Since the Cat’s Eye is a little out of the way, I thought’ I’d provide a little video tutorial on how to get there.
| July 1, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 2, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 3, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 4, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 5, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 6, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 8, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 9, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 10, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 11, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
| July 12, 2009 | ||
| 8:00 pm | to | 9:10 pm |
Meet Nick and Dana. Two LARP gamers with a turbulent history. Together in the club where they first met, they stage a retelling of their past to learn the truth of their affair in-game and out-of-character. From the team that brought the hit Shadow Court to the 2005 Fringe, comes a romantic drama about the ins and outs of love.
Out of Character runs nightly from Wednesday-Sunday July 1st to July 12th (dark on Tuesday, July 7th) at 8 pm in The Cats Eye, 150 Charles Street West (basement of the Wymilwood building).
|
Actor, writer, geek, gamer, nerd, web guy and blogger. |