Category Archives: Previews

SWAN? returns home, to the festival where it hatched, to celebrate its hundredth performance

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca SWAN? has flown the world.  Lauren Brady’s dark bouffon/ballet clown comedy has alighted at the world’s biggest fringe festivals, in Edinburgh and Adelaide, twice, and won awards from the High Commission of Canada and the Beaverbrook … Continue reading →

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The remarkable origin story of a Canadian drag legend: Go West, Young Man, a Fringe review

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

Go West, Young Man (Stage 11, Varscona Theatre) By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca The sheer fabulosity of drag queens can dazzle you into assuming that they aren’t born and “emerge,” but somehow spring to life fully formed, be-gowned and sparkling. And … Continue reading →

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A cross-border Fringe story, with a fistful of firsts: meet the creators of Jeff and Grungled KNOW FRILLS

Posted on August 10, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca This is a cross-border/ cross-festival/ cross-platform/ cross-time zone story in which the Fringe has a plum role (and Zoom has a bit part). The route to Jeff and Grungled KNOW FRILLS, opening Thursday at Mile Zero … Continue reading →

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Tiny Bear Jaws’ Elena Belyea takes the Greeks for a spin at the Fringe in a new version of The Oresteia: ‘gore (i want to disappear)’

Posted on August 9, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca “What’s something I haven’t tried before?” Elena Belyea asked themself a year ago. Now, there’s a question for Belyea to take to their seventh Fringe festival. They’ve written provocative dramas (Smoke, Cleave) and dark comedies, a … Continue reading →

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Playing around in the 209-show universe: further thoughts on what to see at this year’s Fringe

Posted on August 7, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca Take a chance! The 209-show Fringe universe is yours to play around in, starting Thursday. And this is no time to be daunted by the choice. Be tickled instead, and curious. Did you peek at 12thnight’s … Continue reading →

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What to see at ‘Fringe Unforgettable’. A little survey of intriguing shows just to get you started. A venture into the as-yet-unseen

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca Things are about to get a whole lot more exciting in these parts.  In one week, the Fringe is back, with a 45th annual edition. And the 209-show playground of Fringe Unforgettable is open for you … Continue reading →

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We’re invited to a ’60s party: Cocktails at Pam’s, Teatro Live! revives a signature Lemoine comedy. A preview

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca Forty years ago a theatre company blithely outside the Canadian theatre mainstream invited Fringe audiences to a ‘60s cocktail party. In Cocktails at Pam’s, dressed-up people kept arriving at Pam’s place. Gimlets and gibsons got made, … Continue reading →

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What does it take to belong? Inside the high-risk world of SKNHEAD at Found Fest: meet playwright Shyanne Duquette

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca “What would we do to be part of a community” What would we sacrifice?” Shyanne Duquette wants to know. With their new play SKNHEAD, opening Thursday at Common Ground’s Found Festival in a “secret location” on … Continue reading →

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Discover art and artists in unexpected places: get found at the Found Festival

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca There’s just no telling what will happen when you find yourself at Found. Yes, the festival of encounters with art and artists in unexpected places is back Thursday with a 15th annual edition. You too could … Continue reading →

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New season new boss at Shadow Theatre: meet artistic director Lana Michelle Hughes

Posted on June 16, 2026 by Liz Nicholls

By Liz Nicholls, 12thnight.ca New season. New boss. At Shadow Theatre, Lana Michelle Hughes, the company’s multi-talented new artistic director (only their second in a 33-year history), has announced an all-Canadian quartet of productions. Hughes’ debut lineup has a striking … Continue reading →

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