What The Festival
Sep 26-29, 2024
We’ve got some amazing and award-winning work at this year’s festival. Check it out below and book your tickets now!
Youngplace - 180 Shaw St.
Forecast: Wild, Witty, Wonderful
SHOWS
BITTY-BAT on Planet Earth
by Emily Jeffers
Hot off a run at the Edinburgh Fringe, this beloved T.O. strange maker returns in this ridiculous physical comedy. Driven to charm and intimidate, she lures the audience deeper into her world, only to be interrupted by a know-it-all voice. Discover Bitty-Bat in an experience that promises to baffle and delight!
“Her ability to ‘yes and’ herself and the audience is mesmerizing, and I found myself crying laughing in several areas…my top show of the 2024 Fringe.”
- Erin Murray Quinlan, Edinburgh Fringe Review
THU, SEP 26 @ 7:30pm (60 mins)
Forecast: Spooky, Silly, Sonic
WINNING: Winning
by Gordon Neill
Sit back and embark on a silent-ish clown journey of self-discovery and transformation to unlock the true winner inside each of us. On this path to redemption Gordon Neill must overcome the challenge of his greatest foe - himself.
— Winner of the Edmonton Fringe Artist Pick Award 2024 —
“This show will have you in tears in every sense of the phrase with clown bits, dreams, music and storytelling.”
THU, SEP 26 @ 9:30pm (60 mins)
Forecast: Simple, Stalwart, Silent…ish
The ZUCCHINI Club
by Alexander Mantia
A WTF PREMIERE! Featuring an entirely puppet cast, join Pasquale Provolone, an old Italian gardener, who must protect his beloved zucchini garden from the local wildlife. This fun vaudeville show is created and lovingly brought to life by puppetry legend Ronnie Burkett’s own studio assistant.
“To be able to present a premiere at our festival is a dream come true for us. We are so excited for this show and can’t wait to share it with you!”
- Byron Laviolette, WTF Artistic Director
FRI, SEP 27 @ 7:30pm (60 mins)
Forecast: Lovable, Lite, Lo-Fi
SANTOSH SANTOSH
by Srutika Sabu
Hit of the Toronto Fringe! Software engineer, thought leader, and second-hand Tesla owner Santosh Santosh (aka Tosh) has it all - except the love, respect and approval of his South Indian immigrant parents. A joyful, heartwarming solo-ish clown show that will make you laugh & cry at the same time. Directed by Ken Hall. Stage Manager - Willow Edwards.
“Hilariously funny! Srutika Sabu plays Tosh with the charisma of a Bollywood star…I can’t wait to see more from this talented artist!”
- A View from the Box (Toronto Fringe Review)
SAT, SEP 28 @ 7:30pm (60 mins)
Forecast: Funny, Frantic, Freeing
CABARETS
STRANGE MAKER SHOWOFF
Hosted by Jesse Buck
WTF’s showcase of all things wild and wonderful. Kicking off our cabaret series, it features some of the city's very best Drag, Clown and Puppetry acts. If you’re looking for a night of vivid and vibrant variety, this is the show for you!
FEATURING : Ru-yu-yuy (Ruy Nieves), Kendall Savage, Jessie James, Hudson Bae, Mackenzie Mccallum-Mallory, The Auger (Logan Robins), CHROMAKAY (Kay Chan) and more!
FRI, SEP 27 @ 9:30pm (75 mins)
Forecast: Vibrant, Visionary, Variety
An evening devoted to Toronto’s flourishing Drag King scene, this is a showcase like you’ve never seen. Presenting an amazing selection of totally fierce and fascinating performers, this promises to be out-of-this-world!
DON’T DRAG ME DOWN
Hosted by Ace Monstera
FEATURING: Buoj (Emilia White), Dyce 2 Watch Out 4, Dank Sinatra, King Freddie, Brattery Acid, Andy Fetamean and Stefan Fetamean, Max Malada and Sandy Joint!
SAT, SEP 28 @ 9:30pm (75 mins)
Forecast: Exciting, Extravagant, Extra
Come cheer on and celebrate the next gen of Toronto’s Drag, Clown and Puppetry. Starring acts who are just getting their feet wet, or just getting back into it, this cabaret is one of WTF’s most uplifting and unexpected gems!
UP-AND-COMER CABARET
Hosted by Kendall Savage
FEATURING: Monica Kopec, Mark Terrett, Tammy The Brown, Snackbaby Thiccums (Alexandra Cioppa), Randy Boots (Randal Boutilier), The Sensationals (Shanda Bezic and Michael MacEachern) and The Rhino Lassies (Alexandra Watt Simpson, Morgan Johnson)!
SUN, SEP 29 @ 3pm (75 mins)
Forecast: Uplifting, Unseen, Unexpected
SPECIAL
A special Intro to Shadow Puppetry workshop! Come learn the ins and outs of how to bring shapes and shadows to life. This incredible opportunity is only open to 10 lucky participants so save your spot now!
WORKSHOP: SHADOW PUPPETRY
Facilitated by Puppetmongers
Puppetmongers (facilitators) was founded by Ann and David Powell and has performed in Canada, the US, as well as the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and Iran. They continue to run the Puppetry Exploratory Laboratory, the Puppetry Hive, and Fresh Ideas in Puppetry!
SAT, SEP 28 @ 11am-4pm (5 hours)
Forecast: Discovery, Design, Delight
PANEL: POST ‘DRAG RACE’ DRAG
Moderated by Pearle Harbour
Exploring the impact of the reality tv show ‘Drag Race’, this FREE panel discussion will feature a range of Drag creators/performers. Listen, laugh and learn about the future of our beloved Kings, Queens, Creatures and Things!
Justin Miller (moderator) is a queer, Toronto-based writer, performer, producer, designer, and Fool. As his drag alter-ego, tragicomedienne Pearle Harbour, he has been called “one of the most engaging and thoughtful performance artists around” (NOW Magazine)
