The Toronto Fringe has a new focus, both geographic and artistic, based on a partnership that involves recognized and developing theatre folk.
The summer festival, celebrating its 22nd anniversary this coming July, has formed an association with Mirvish Enterprises and the Randolph Centre for the Arts, establishing the Bathurst/Bloor area as a performance and social centre for the event that has become the city’s busiest 12 theatre days.
It means a new location for the popular beer tent: the Fringe Club will be located south of Bloor Street, reached through Honest Ed’s Alley. That’ll bring audiences past Honest Ed’s loading dock, a frequent BYOV site for Fringe shows.
The new space will include a tent and patio, set up with multiple performance spaces and interactive art experiences. As in the past, the Fringe will present free nightly entertainment.
The Randolph Centre, just across the street from the new Fringe Club, will host over 180 performances by 26 companies. The centre, which includes the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, the Bathurst Street Theatre and the Annex Theatre, will also be the site of the Fringe’s central box office.
There’ll actually be three venues in the centre, for the Fringe is converting an upstairs studio into a venue for six solo shows.
As part of the new association, one of the Fringe troupes will be composed of graduating Randolph students.
The Bathurst Street and Annex theatres are both part of Fringe history. I remember seeing some fine pieces at both spaces, including works by Mump and Smoot, Daniel MacIvor and Pochsy (aka Karen Hines).
The new plan makes Bathurst Street the spine of the Fringe, with direct access to venues to the north (the two Tarragon spaces) and south (Theatre Passe Muraille and Factory).
But you can expect to do some running around to other locations in town there’ll still be other venues and BYOVs. Fringe executive director Gideon Arthurs says audiences can attend shows at 30 additional performing spaces.
The summer of 2010 will also see the launch of 10x10x10, a youth outreach program that provides mentorship to young artists and distributes youth rush passes.
And for those interested in applying for a spot at the 2010 Fringe, the deadline is November 18 at 5 pm. As always, the spots are chosen by lottery. Call 416-966-1062 or check online. [rssbreak]
