Derrick Chua

@derrick-chua.bsky.social

Theatre Producer and Entertainment Lawyer in Toronto, Canada. Primarily posting about Live Theatre in Toronto.

Other Canadian shows at Edinburgh Fringe I have not seen, but others recommend: Louise, 10,000 Digits, Citizen Chen, Define Queerness, Little Green Leaf, Luscinia, Nude Parade, Otuz Bir, Seance Spectacular, She/They, Stich in Time, Gas Station, Tenderly, Third Party, Wiener Beacon. Break legs!

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About 50 Canadian shows playing at Edinburgh Fringe among over 4,000. Seen and recommend: Big Stuff, Monks, Public Display of Affection, Slugs, The Heterosexuals, Homecumming, Josiah, Sinner, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, Sister Sophia Kicks The Habit, Catching a Cheese Pervert, Men Love Horsies.

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Canadian musical theatre loving heart full after a three-show day at Confederation Centre with Polka Dot Door in the morning, Come From Away matinee and Anne of Green Gables evening. Thanks for a lovely weekend Charlottetown!

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And that’s 20 hours in Halifax. Rent at Neptune Theatre, catch up with stars Kelly Holiff & Chariz Faulmino, lobster benedict for breakfast. Next stop Charlottetown for the all-Canadian triple-bill musical weekend: Anne of Green Gables, Come From Away and Anne & Gilbert.

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Quick night in Halifax for Neptune Theatre’s Rent dir by Jeremy Webb, music dir by Sarah Richardson, choreo by Alexandra Herzog, starring Kelly Holiff, Chariz Faulmino, Geordie Brown, Allie MacDonald, Colin Asuncion, etc. Then to Charlottetown for the weekend.

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Any Canadian performers or Canadian led companies going to Edinburgh Fringe, but are NOT listed as Canadian on website or program, let us know by July 24 to be included in The List's Canadians in Edinburgh Festivals guide.

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Good Saturday at Hamilton Fringe seeing six shows. Enjoyed Felt Cute, Love & Craic and How To Love A Fascist, but the clear highlight was Townsperson #3 starring Izad Etemadi & Julia Pulo, which is NOT a musical, but totally for fans of musical. Now back for five more shows today.

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Continuing my 2026 Festival Tour at Hamilton Fringe this weekend with 10 shows planned, starting with Izad Etemadi and Julia Pulo in Townsperson #3, then hoping the weather holds up for outdoor Fringe Boulevard Cold Reads: Neechie Edish dir by Nicole-Joy Fraser or catch something else indoors.

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Sigh. First time I can recall ever missing a show two days in a row due to different weather conditions! Sad I won’t be able to make it out to Crossroads Theatre’s Through The Bamboo by Andrea Mapili & Byron Abalos, dir by Chantelle Han. Hope the rest of the run goes well and… well… just goes.

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And that's a wrap on the 2026 Toronto Fringe! Ended up seeing 72 of the 122 shows (with a Heated Rivalry The Musical break between shows), and thought the overall quality this year was terrific. Thanks to the Fringe artists, staff and volunteers who continue to make this my favourite time of year.

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Don’t forget two more chances to see Toronto Fringe hits announced 6:30pm tonight at Awards Night. Patron’s Pick for highest selling show at each venue gets an extra performance this Sun Jul 12. Then July 17-19, five Best of Fringe shows get two performances at TO Live Jane Mallett Theatre.

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Hit show #50 at Toronto Fringe last night with three standouts yesterday: Grey Spaces has a terrific score beautifully sung, then two very different solo shows about female teens struggling to fit in White high-school worlds, First Kiss & White Man’s Indian. All highly recommended.

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Saddened by the sudden passing of Stephen Flett, particularly at this Toronto Fringe time. He performed in more Fringe then anyone I can think of - about 25 incl last year Thunderor. His bio reads “Actor in Fringe, community and other indie theatre.” Rest in peace Stephen - this Fringe is for you.

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Two school-set shows with mainly student casts highlighted my Fringe Saturday: Oren Safdie’s provocative coming-of-age Gratitude, and Isobel Arseneau’s musical Little Astronaut about a female student in 1st year engineering, with a creative team of U of T students, 13-member cast & 15-piece band!

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