Culture Gecko

11/10/2025

Live Five and Two Bees Productions YAGA is an incredible engaging work of theatre that utilizes the mystery hook dripping with humor coupled by magnetic and mesmerizing performances from the cast that are both stunning as they are charmingly infectious.

YAGA is an incredibly strong start to Live Five’s twenty second season. YAGA is a Tsunami of talent from the performances, direction, writing to the costume, set, lighting and sound design that make this not only must see theatre but a truly magical and unforgettable experience.

YAGA from Live Five and Two Bees Production is running from October 9-19th 2025 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada at The Refinery.

On the Boards

Read our full review below

https://www.culturegecko.com/yagareview

22/09/2025

Did you know that Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre is having an open house TONIGHT to bring awareness to their Circle of Voices (COV) program.

The event is on September 22nd 2025 at Gordon Tootossis Nikaniwin Theatre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the theatre company, the wonderful COV program and their initiative facilitating the arts to teens and high schools.

We wrote a quick write up about the event below.

https://www.culturegecko.com/gtntcocopenhousefall2025

For more information please go to GTNT's website https://gtnt.ca/, their Circle of Voices program section https://gtnt.ca/programs/circle-of-voices/

17/08/2025

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan 2025 Players Series Spotlight is Oli Guselle's Shakespeare's Mixtape.

Oli Guselle’s Shakespeare’s Mixtape is a Musical Mashup Delicacy

This is rabid cornucopia soundscape injected with Shakespearean spirit. This is both a visual and auditory feast, an enchanted experience that is unforgettable and not to be missed out.​

It runs August 16-18th 2025 at the Raynor Whiteside Financial Group Community Stage at the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Our full review is below.

https://www.culturegecko.com/oliguselleshakespearesmixtapereview

P.S. There is STILL ONE WHOLE WEEK LEFT to catch Richard II and Midsummer Night's Dream. Richard Closes on August 22nd 2025 and Midsummer closes on August 24 2025.

Don't wait! Get your tickets now!

https://www.showpass.com/o/shakespeare-on-the-saskatchewan/

09/08/2025

Here is our review of BRAIN by Blair Moro at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival

Brain stars Jillian Burke (Left Brain) and Marissa Sauvé (Right Brain).

Blair Moro’s BRAIN is almost unfathomably in its own genre. The production is sprinkled with surreal absurdist romp anchored by phenomenal, magnetic performances and coated with subtext, existentialism and a vibe that would make filmmaker and artist, David Lynch proud.

BRAIN is sheer delight, a surreal absurdist experience that is unimaginable as it is unforgettable. Moro’s script and creation is a fascinating Frankenstein’s Monster of experimental theatre and perfect fit for Fringe theatre. Burke and Sauvé are a dynamic duo and give performances that are worthy of nominations.

Check out our full review below

https://www.culturegecko.com/brainreview

09/08/2025

Here is our review of Adventures in Canadian Parking Lots by Jem Rolls at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival

Rolls is a master storyteller in a category of his own with his dry, sardonic, British accent omnipresent throughout his pieces veering from introspection, outrage, amusement that makes each morsel of opinion, phrase he utters charming yet with a relatable presence.

Adventures in Canadian Parking Lots is must see theatre only because once again Rolls is able to perfectly capture and captivate and disarm and comfort the audience with little effort. Rolls as a performer, poet, and wordsmith whom is truly a giant in the Fringe Festival circuit and not to be missed.

Check out our full review below

https://www.culturegecko.com/canadianparkinglotsreview

09/08/2025

Here is our review of Two Good Shoes Theatre's The Mooneaters by Lauren Griffin.

The Mooneaters stars Lauren Griffin as Ladybug and John Reaney as Trevor.

An utterly thought provoking piece of dystopian theatre that will leave you questioning and reflecting past choices.

The Mooneaters is captivating, immersive and introduces a mythology that is ripe for follow-ups in this universe if Griffin was inclined. Mooneaters is a must see production as it combines a dramatic, dystopian, introspective and mysterious flavor in ravenous form that is only more alluring the more it is pondered.

Check out or full review below

https://www.culturegecko.com/themooneatersreview

09/08/2025

Here is our review of Tragedy or Triumph: An Improvised Shakespearean Epic from Vancouver's The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival in their additional venue BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) at the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site Shakespeare on the Saskatchewanplaying on the Raynor Whiteside Financial Group Community Stage.

*Author’s Note: This is an improve show where each show different will be totally dictated by what suggestion is chosen by an audience member. This review is August 5th’s evening production.*

This is a review of the performance from the evening of August fifth 2025. The suggestion chosen was distasteful dinner at an A&W restaurant.

Tragedy or Triumph is must see theatre only because each performance is unique and the performers and their actions will be totally unexpected. The ensemble is a well trained, experienced machine that talent shines like the stars Shakespeare waxes poetically about.

Our full review is below

https://www.culturegecko.com/ssctragedyortriumphreview

09/08/2025

Here is our review of Can't Help Falling in Love... With Shakespeare by Live Fully Productionsctions at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival in their additional venue BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) at the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site at the Raynor Whiteside Financial Group Community Stage.

The production stars Max Cory as Arden, and Sadie Gryba as Mary with Lex Barry, Siyam Hassan, Catherine Hui, Loren Krowchuk, Cam Leverick, Laura Negraeff, Paulina Salisbury and Adrianne Tanjusay as the Kings Players

Can’t Help Falling in Love… With Shakespeare is a wonderful introduction to those unfamiliar or bored with Shakespeare’s collection. The pop music, the self awareness and magic that glistens throughout is an unforgettable experience.

Read our full review below

https://www.culturegecko.com/canthelpfallinginlovereview

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09/08/2025

Here is our review of Colourless Ruby and the Fantastical Missing Shades by Skin and Bones Collective at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival

Starring Rachel Walliser and Emma Eaton.

Colourless Ruby is pure prepackaged unadulterated delight. This has the makings of a modern contemporary children’s fantasy epic following in the footsteps of Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan.

Colourless Ruby is candy coated joy, dripping with adventure, mystery and fun that makes it just as enjoyable to the children audience as it does for adults.

Read our full review below

https://www.culturegecko.com/colourlessrubyreview

09/08/2025

Here is our review of Mind of a Snail's The Day the Beanstalk Market Crashed at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival

This as a masterful production that executes projectors, projection screens, the use of camera angles, hand puppets with expert precision. Using the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk as a blueprint and launching pad,

The Beanstalk Market is able to capture biting satire, themes of environmentalism and capitalism with a humorous bent that never feels heavy handed or forced instead it launches into a realm of absurdity, avant-garde that transforms high concept spectacle into a brilliant piece of art and theatre.

Simply put, The Day the Beanstalk Market Crashed is an exquisite, exemplary feast for not just lovers of theatre, the Fringe but anyone who appreciates art.

Our full review is below.

https://www.culturegecko.com/beanstalkmarketreview

09/08/2025

Here is our review of Little Black Bird Productions Shawn & Danny's Deadly Adventure starring Danny Knight, Shawn Cuthand and Corey Dallas Standing at the Saskatoon Fringe Festival

A delirious laugh riot infused with heart and smothered in feel good energy.

Shawn & Danny’s Deadly Adventure is a wonderful break allowing the audience to sidestep into a silly world full of fun, revelry, good times and magic.

Read our full review below

https://www.culturegecko.com/deadlyadventurereview

08/08/2025

Here is our review for Red Dirt/Red Storm by SEcond Star to the Right Productions and written by Ashley Victoria Robinson Currently at the 2025 Saskatoon Fringe Festival Saskatoon Fringe Festival

Red Dirt/Red Storm by Second Star to the Right Productions is a powerhouse of emotion and ferocity.

Ashley Victoria Robinson who also wrote the production delivers a performance that is erratic and unnerving as a wind-up toy with a stick of dynamite attached.

Robinson and Second Star to the Right Productions have outdone themselves with a truly uncomfortable and tense performance from Robinson that will linger and haunt you.

Our full review is below

https://www.culturegecko.com/reddirtredstormreview

  Ashley Victoria Robinson who also wrote the production delivers a performance that is erratic and unnerving as a wind-up toy with a stick of dynamite attached.