Victoria Fringe Festival 2011

The Victoria Fringe Festival kicks off next week as 72 international and local theatre companies take to various venues and stages across the capital city. Victoria Fringe is one of the oldest in Canada and this year they celebrate 25 years of providing affordable, alternative entertainment from around the world.

BFA The Musical. Photo: The Kicks. Intrepid Theatre on Flickr

If you’re new to Fringe, they’ve provided a handy “How to Fringe” section on their website:

1. Choose your shows. Search by special event or venue.
2. Get a visa button. $5, or 2 for $5 on opening night. These support the festival directly (while ticket sales support the artists).
3. Get your show tickets. Passes are also available if you plan on seeing multiple shows ($55 Munchcard for 5 shows or a $88 Frequent Fringer pass for 10 shows).
4. Love your lineup. Lines are a part of Fringe as many performances are general admission. Get to know your fellow line-mates and enjoy the pre-show banter.
5. Know the rules of Fringe. There are four, apparently: Get your visa button, no latecomers, all sales final, cash only.

Grim & Fischer: A Deathly Comedy.
Photo: Sean Dennie. Intrepid Theatre on Flickr

Now that you know How to Fringe, what can you expect? Everything from the Fringe 80s Prom Dance Party and the FringeKids Fest, to live music, comedy, burlesque, and shadow play.

Productions that will be going from Victoria Fringe (August 25 to September 4) to Vancouver Fringe Festival (September 8 to 18) include: Houdini’s Last Escape, Grim and Fischer (what is being called “live action Pixar”), Little Orange Man (a dark fairy tale), Peter n’ Chris and the Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel, Phone Whore (an autobiographical show by Cameryn Moore about being a phone sex worker).

For all of this information and more, download the free Victoria Fringe Festival iPhone app. You can also join the Facebook group, read the blog, and follow @intrepidtheatre on Twitter.