Theatre Orangeville’s Arts Fest a “fabulous” success

By Constance Scrafield

“It was fabulous!” said David Nairn of the second annual Theatre Orangeville's Arts Fest. “It was joyful at the Mount Alverno Luxury Resort. Everything was well received; it was a different creative vibe.”

Nairn said he was very pleased with the great attendance and that the two shows from Toronto Fringe were sold out.

“They were 180 degrees different from each other,” he told us. “This was the best ever from Fringe. Reps from Toronto Fringe came to the festival and they were knocked out by the community.

“Quite a number of people came up from the city to catch the Best of Toronto Fringe plays. A great number of them left saying they would be returning to come to the theatre or just to come back to Orangeville.

“The goal here is for us to create a show that goes to Fringe.”

A star of the festival was the Kids' Fest, free entertainment, for which a large number of Young Company volunteered to assist.

Eric Woolfe was stupendous with Buster Canfield's Circus of Industrious Fleas, Nairn was enthusiastic to say. He also confided he now has his own flea that he is able to train.

Well known children's entertainers Fay and Fluffy were an exciting feature for the youngsters.

Everyone was enchanted, he declared.

Certainly, the Drag Music Bingo is one of the main attractions for adults. This is regular Bingo with cards but instead of numbers, the cards have song titles and one has to recognize the music to punch their winning space. This is “super interactive,” we were told. “Fluffy Souffles had everyone up and dancing.”

What Nairn finds important about this festival and other shows they have brought to Orangeville is that they take it out of the theatre and that changes the feeling of a show. Some of the highlights for him were dancing with Rachael Temptation and singing along with Cherry Chapstick; the one “little kid” who got up to read with Fay and Fluffy.

“She might have been only three,” he said, “But she was so funny and all smiles.”

Plans for the Arts Fest next year are already under way, now it is established as a tradition, coming into its third year.

Overall, what matters is that every creative participant said they can't wait to come back here.

Artists are always knocked out by the audiences and they want to return.

When it comes to begin the planning again, Lisa Lahue's name is in the forefront for it is she who coordinates for Fringe, the artists, and loading in the show.

“Lisa has been the lead on this,” Nairn was clear, adding that the people at Mount Alverno Luxury Resort have bent over backwards to support and facilitate the festival. Sounds like a success – here's to next year!