Get ready to binge on Fringe

Today marks the starting gun of the 29th annual Halifax Fringe Festival, with venues large and small all over town being taken over by indie theatre of all stripes. While you probably already have your plan of attack marked on your Fringe guide (see our listings if not), a case for different plays is made with the fest’s opening-day awards: three acknowledgements slash points-of-interest surrounding different shows, selected by the fest itself.

Drumroll, please:

For this year’s Slow Burn Award, Fringe highlights a set of hidden gems waiting to be discovered:
– Gifted Youth Cabaret at Neptune Theatre
–Building 17: A Conspiracy in One Act at The Bus Stop Theatre
–Lungs at 2202 Gottingen Street (which is the old Company House, FYI)
–Your Thoughts & Prayers at Neptune Theatre
–Midnight Storm Presents: An Improv Experience at Neptune Theatre
–Don’t Tell Me What To Do, OG Fringe vet Bud Hunter‘s latest offering, at Neptune
–Worry Duck at Neptune
–Mike Malloy and the Mystery of the Missing Milk at Glitter Bean Cafe

For this year’s Hot Ticket Award, Fringe share a list of shows that are selling out quick:
–Robotricks at Neptune Theatre
–10 Things I Hate About Taming of the Shrew at Neptune Theatre
–Giant Killer Shark: The Musical at The Bus Stop Theatre
–Monster at The Bus Stop Theatre
–Safe at 2202 Gottingen Street
–Great Kettle for the People at 2202 Gottingen Street
–Fish Tank at Neptune Theatre
–Some Guy From The Internet at Neptune Theatre
–Stick or Wizard? at Neptune Theatre
–Penny at Neptune Theatre
–Rogue: Contemporary Circus at the Halifax Music Co-op
–DIY Surgery at Sawmill Playhouse

For this year’s Original Script Award, meanwhile, the winner is Lily Falk with her play Crypthand.

Whew! The most wonderful time of the year for theatre, indeed. Drop a comment below to tell us which shows you’re most excited for.

This article appears in Aug 29 – Sep 4, 2019.