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FRINGE REVIEWS PART 3: Puppetry and dance offer beautiful artistry

Sheila Martindale continues her run through of Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival entries
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The Wilds offers amazing puppetry, courtesy of the Wonderheads, who now are based in Victoria. Image contributed

Sheila Martindale continues her run through of plays in the Victoria Fringe Festival, which runs through Sept. 2 at various venues downtown.

The Wilds

The Wilds is a story without words and is absolutely wonderful! Using mime and puppetry, the Wonderheads weave a magical tale of love and loss, and of love re-found. The sheer grace of movement make this show super-special.

The puppets are amazingly wrought, and manage to convey emotion, as well as making us feel sadness, joy, and a whole gamut of emotions. Watch particularly for the bear! If you see only one show in this year’s lineup in the Fringe, let this be the one! Wonderheads are now based in Victoria – a welcome addition to the arts scene here.

The Wilds runs at the Metro until Sept. 2.

Para Dos

This show completely blew me away. I have seen the tango, of course, but this a ballet tango! All the moves we know and love are en pointe, which makes it different and very special. Both the dancers involved are brilliant, graceful and passionate.

The air hums with drama as the action unfolds. The duo is from Montreal, but the couple has spent the last two years in Buenos Aires, putting this show together; the level of perfection demonstrates a commitment to excellence. The costumes are spectacular and colourful, and simply add to the tension of the dances chosen.

Para Dos runs until Sept. 1 at the Metro; you might want to book your tickets on line to be sure of getting them.

Previous reviews:

FRINGE REVIEWS: Death and other intimate details

FRINGE FEST REVIEWS: Flamenco and teen angst, among the topics explored in festival entries