I knew I’d be posting about it because after watching the trailer I had no idea what the play would be about, but it was a fairly slick video.

After doing some research (Googling) on the play, it appears to be about Alberta’s eugenics program. Yes, until the 1970s (!) people in Alberta could have been sterilized for a variety of reasons; primarily mental disability and mental illness.

Now that you know that you can see how the title is a play on Alberta and eugenics.

The interesting thing about the Fringe, is that sometimes you get universally agreed upon 5-star hits or flops, and sometimes you get a play that’s both. Aleugenta, for example, got 4 stars (out of 5) from Vue Weekly, but just 2.5 (out of 5) from the Journal. Both written reviews include praise, however, so I think this is probably a sure bet.

Aleugenta shines a light on a shameful part of Alberta’s past at King Edward School.

(Hey, you might be thinking, what’s all this video stuff about? That’s what we’re doing for Fringeopolis. Watch for more videos about plays at this year’s Edmonton International Fringe Festival.)

The future may not be all it’s cracked up to be. But TV is good. Now we’ve got the premise to Channel One, a Fringe play coming to us from New York City.

Uh, I mean coming to us from the future.

Basically, the end of the world was happening, and these two ladies (Emily James and Ishah Janssen-Faith) hopped a time machine to avoid it (heading to the year 2316). Then some folks from 2011 show up (could that be you?!) and the clear option is to entertain these guests by creating TV shows. Clearly.

Expect to be blown away and entertained by their TV programming. I say that after reading reviews like this:

“I don’t think I can convey the magnitude of their success without putting it so plainly as: it’s fucking hilarious.”

“…I would urge anyone with a pulse and a deep sense of boredom with the popular TV comedy of 2011 to tune into Channel One.”

- The Blog of Jenna Rocca

Channel One is on the air at the Catalyst Theatre.

(Hey, you might be thinking, what’s all this video stuff about? That’s what we’re doing for Fringeopolis. Watch for more videos about plays at this year’s Edmonton International Fringe Festival.)

I’ve got two things that will help you make up your mind.

It’s about a kitten orphanage.

And this video:

This poster is probably a third thing to help you decide.

Kittens on Fire is written and directed by Mike Robertson and Jon Mick. Starring Jon Mick as Mike Robertson and Mike Robertson as Jon Mick.

The two comedians are saying it’s an “…unmitigated theatrical mind-melting brain-boom.” which sounds pretty exciting.

They go on to say “Kittens on Fire is either a post-modern think piece offering tender reflections on the loss of innocence, the story of a small community torn apart after an orphanage for kittens catches fire, or a multimedia comedy spectacular from two of Edmonton’s brightest alternative comedy stars. Or is it ALL OF THE ABOVE?”

Guess you’ll have to see it to find out.

Kittens on Fire runs nightly (and Sunday afternoon) at Wunderbar (Whyte Avenue and 101 Street).

(Hey, you might be thinking, what’s all this video stuff about? That’s what we’re doing for Fringeopolis. Watch for more videos about plays at this year’s Edmonton International Fringe Festival.)

Instead of “Take me to your leader,” Marty Chan has crafted a play that’s more “We are your leaders.”

Yes, it’s aliens and politics: together at the Fringe!

It’s never easy to understand all the ins, outs, backroom dealings, jargon, and shenanigans of politics. Alberta politics doubly-so. So maybe it will make more sense if we consider the guys in charge are aliens.

Now you’ve got the premise of Chan’s new play, Mothership Down, running this Fringe at the Stanley A. Milner branch of the Edmonton Public Library. (Yes, you’ll have to cross the river for this one.) That makes sense because he’s the Writer in Residence at the EPL.

Part political satire (unless the Tories in charge really are aliens), part TED talk, and part interactive (make sure your cellphone is charged) it’s really about voter apathy. So don’t let the aliens win.

The title of the play, by the way, comes from a Ted Morton quote. Mothership Down is downtown, at the Milner library.

(Hey, you might be thinking, what’s all this video stuff about? That’s what we’re doing for Fringeopolis. Watch for more videos about plays at this year’s Edmonton International Fringe Festival.)

Going back to my first Fringing, about a decade ago in Winnipeg, I’ve always checked posters for shows which have toured the country and received great reviews in other cities.

All of that leads me to our next Fringe video which, of course, is for a play not from Edmonton.

Theme Park is a dark comedy about an amusement park. And writer and actor David Jacobsen plays 11 characters.

After the worst ride accident ever, an amusement park detective (that’s a thing) and protege look into Super-Duper Mega-Marine Coaster World – where mascots and killer whales have axes to grind, the head of PR is in a tower with hostages, and the park’s secrets won’t stay buried. Sounds like the makings of a dark comedy all right.

Getting back to my opening points, Theme Park sold out at last year’s San Francisco Fringe, and has just come to us from a successful run at the Toronto Fringe. That feels like a solid recommendation to me.

Theme Park is on at Acacia Hall.

(Hey, you might be thinking, what’s all this video stuff about? That’s what we’re doing for Fringeopolis. Watch for more videos about plays at this year’s Edmonton International Fringe Festival.)