Fringe News
Fringe News
Four-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee Christel Bartelse is bringing her signature high-energy wit and creativity to the Toronto Fringe Festival with her fourth solo show, All KIDding Aside.
Written and performed by Bartelse (the creator of Fringe hits Chaotica, ONEymoon, and Significant Me), All KIDding Aside is a comedically honest look into the fears and hesitations about conceiving a baby and giving birth. Does Bartelse's career mean everything to her at the age of 38? Or should she succumb to having a child before time runs out? Tick tick tick...
Join Bartelse at the doctor's office, where she awaits test results explaining why her period is late. Naturally, she's riddled with anxious questions: what would it mean to become a mom on the verge of forty? Or what if she's not pregnant: will society fully accept someone who decides motherhood is not her desired path?
With All KIDding Aside, Bartelse opts for complete honesty in her storytelling, showing signs of vulnerability and truth we haven’t yet seen displayed. "I feel this topic is so relevant right now,” the actress says. "So may women I know are in their thirties or approaching forty, and are still unsure if they should have a baby or not. Some are terrified to put their career on hold and give up their freedom.”
Bartelse adds, "We all at one point have had fears surrounding relationships, marriage, or remaining single. Not to mention confusion about what we really want."
Having toured the circuit for years -- including a heralded 2015 turn at Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe -- this is Bartelse's fourth time at the Toronto Fringe, and her first since 2011. It's also her first time partnering up with multi award-winning artist Michelle Polak (CanStage, Necessary Angel, Theatre Gargantua, Theatre Direct), who takes on her Fringe directing debut.
All KIDding Aside
Written and performed by Christel Bartelse
Directed by Michelle Polak
Show Times:
July 1st at 2:45 PM
July 2nd at 3:45 PM
July 3rd at 7:15 PM
July 5th at 1:00 PM
July 7th at 2:30 PM
July 8th at 11:30 PM
July 9th at 9:15 PM
Tarragon Extra Space
30 Bridgman Ave, Toronto
Tickets: www.FringeToronto.com
Photo: Christel Bartelse. ©2016 sweatequity.
2016-06-14
Fringe: All KIDding Aside