The largest and longest running Fringe festival in North America celebrates it’s 28th year in Edmonton this week.

With Drew away on exercise I’m spending a lot of my Fringe time alone this year. A large part of me misses his company. Most especially when there are many hours to burn between plays & I’ve already spent the bulk of 3 days watching street performers and other artisans. The other part – the ticket buying one – is glad he’s not here. His absence means I can go to twice the number of shows on the budget I set. I don’t even want to contemplate how expensive this past weekend would have been if Drew & his bottomless pit of a stomach were here.

I have to work during the week so I can’t spend every night closing out the Fringe and attending Die-Nasty. I have to make due with catching only four episodes on opening & closing weekends of the Fringe. On the bright side I have been able to introduce some Die-Nasty virgins to the show this year. I brought my neighbour J with me on Friday and met Loxley for the show on Saturday.

I know. I was shocked as you are. Who knew Loxley was a Die-Nasty virgin?

Saturday afternoon I caught Lysistrata and enjoyed it immensely. I wasn’t expecting the show to be quite as raunchy in dialog but it worked well and the actors were excellent.

Today I’m taking in three shows. My afternoon began with The Oculist’s Holiday which was well written and acted. The surprisingly touching ending tugged at the heart-strings. Perhaps my recent Psychology studies made me a bit more succeptable but Jeff Haslam’s last few minutes on stage were haunting and unforgettable.

Sadly one of the plays I knew the least about but was very much looking forward to seeing, Space, really didn’t appeal too much in the telling. As always, Mark Meer stole the scenes he was in. I am continually impressed with his flexibility and talent.

In a few hours I’ll be ending off my evening with Sherlock Holmes: the Musical. I don’t know much about it but do know someone who performed the role of Watson in the show (different theatre company) who’s pretty certain I’ll enjoy it. It’s Sherlock Holmes with singing. What’s not to love?

With work beconing the rest of the week is pretty light on shows. Loxley & I are going to see Rocky Horror performed on Tuesday evening. Then I won’t return to the Fringe grounds until Closing weekend. Too soon it ends.

Someday I’ll talk to Drew about going to the Edinburg Fringe festival. Crowds can’t possibly be as bad there as they were at Comic Con. Can they?

Note: Written on iPhone while roaming Fringe grounds between shows.

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