Time for Fringe. The Fringe is our best festival by far. And yes, if you are currently on the hill at Folk Fest, I am talking to you.
But the Fringe can be overwhelming. There's over 200 shows and a couple dozen venues on both sides of the river. So for the next couple of weeks, I'm going to help you find a show that you want to see.
I'm a highly qualified Fringe reviewer. For my credentials, simply rewind this video 2 seconds.
There's a lot of good, funny, heartfelt shows at Fringe, but I believe everyone should go to at least one weird or unique show. Here's two that I'm stoked for.
The Beanstalk Market Crash (2026) 5 out of 5 stars
The Beanstalk Market Crash is a show about a social and capital inequity between Jack's third generation grandson and the golden goose. What a pitch.
It uses shadow puppetry, a camcorder projector, and some self-described mind-blowing special effects. I love Fringe shows that get inventive because they can't rely on giant sets or expensive effects.
It's on my watch list and rated PG, so your kids are probably okay here.
#THE MERKIN SISTERS: BACKCOMBED (2026) 5 out of 5 stars
Your kids are not okay at The Merkin Sisters though.
Like the best Fringe shows, I genuinely don't know how to describe this one. Their festival pitch says it's “Blue Man Group meets Green Porno,” which leaves me with more questions than answers.
Best I can do is to call it a masterful risque puppet show with human puppets.
You'll recognize Ingrid Hansen from Epidermis Circus or Ingie's Fingies. If you've seen either of those, you already know how unbelievably creative she can be with the simplest of tools.
They note that the show is 90% non-verbal, so they're relying almost exclusively on their puppetry and physical performance here.
It's absolutely worth a watch, but get a babysitter. This one's not for kids.
Don't forget to hit that follow button somewhere and check out all of my reviews and recommendations at troypavlek.ca (you're already here. That's how you're reading this).
We are going to Fringe so hard this year.
It'll be unforgettable.
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