The 2025 Vancouver Fringe Festival kicked off Thursday (Sept. 4) with 11 days, 87 shows and 668 performances of theatre, comedy, dance, drag, music and more, including some created by Surrey-based performers.
Among them is Sandy More, who debuts at the annual fest with a solo show that continues the time-tested Fringe tradition of one provocative title.
, at Revue Stage on Granville Island, is about More's trials and tribulations of ADHD parenting as a mom having to navigate "the hectic world of raising kids with a brain that's constantly on the go."
She was diagnosed when her son was in Grade 4, and he's now aged 21.
"The (show title) actually makes people smile," More said with glee. "I've yet to have somebody not snicker. Sometimes they don't get it — every once in a while I meet somebody who doesn't get it."
Another rookie Fringe-r with Surrey ties is Stephen Thakkar, who created the comedy for the outdoor Railspur Alley venue on Granville Island for five shows starting 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.
An actor and street musician, Thakkar is a world-travelled busker who aims to make people both laugh and think during his 45-minute show, performed with Isaac Stuber Li as The Man.
"I busk all the time at White Rock Beach in summer, and I've played street music for so many years," Thakkar noted. "Having a theatre background, I wanted to pair those two things together (in a Fringe show). It's about a busker and a homeless man fighting over tips, generally. Many times I've been performing and then there's someone panhandling right next to me, and it brings up that ethical dilemma of, you know, who should get your tips? Who deserves that loose change in your pocket, a busker or someone maybe at the end of the rope? I wanted to bring that ethical dilemma and theatricalize it."
With a debut album of music, Growing Pains, ready for release, Thakkar said he was careful about creating his Fringe show.
"I've had many conversations about this with people including homeless people, and I've talked to quite a few people at United Gospel Mission in the Downtown Eastside," he said. "Because obviously when you're making a show like this, we're trying to be as sensitive as possible and trying to not make a joke of people living on the street, but really humanize them. That's the goal of this show."
Nineteen venues are in play at the 41st Fringe, for which artists enter a lottery to perform. They pay a "nominal" fee to participate, but receive subsidies that cover costs. Artists also receive all the profits from ticket sales. "This ‘artist-first’ approach fosters an environment of true creativity and experimentation," says a post on , where tickets are sold, shows detailed.
Like Thakkar, More is thrilled to be a first-time Fringe performer. A semi-retired "shenaniganizing connectionista and celebration instigator," she's been a frequent Fringe-goer and volunteer.
"It is mind-numbingly freaking, yes. It seemed like a good idea at the time and now I'm like, 'Ahhhhh!' More said with a laugh. "If not now, when, right? I think it is the kindest eyes and most receptive audience that a girl can have. It's a really excellent, welcoming and inclusive place. I'm not gonna get laughed off the stage — well, hopefully I will, but, you know, it's not gonna be that people with expectations that are going to be unreasonable. Also, it's my birthday during the run of the show, so the party is happening."
The "stage" for Get The F*** Off My Corner will look like an actual busking setup on a grassy area near a children's playground, Thakkar reports, "then it will transform into something a bit more. We are hoping for good weather. I'm also a licensed busker at Granville Island, so we've actually been able to kind of partner with them. In case of rain, I'm going to borrow one of the Granville Island busking tents and set that up. (The venue) is lovely but it also doesn't have seating, so we're going to bring blankets and lawn chairs for people. People can bring their own chairs, too."
Vancouver Fringe Festival offers free nightly music and entertainment in the all-ages Fringe Bar (at Ocean Artworks Pavilion on Granville Island), and free for families (behind Waterfront Theatre, Sept. 6-7).
The 2025 fest performers are from Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the U.K., Netherlands, Japan, China and Australia.
“This year we’re expanding our programming and offering the biggest (Fringe) since before the pandemic,” said Duncan Watts-Grant, executive director, Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society.
“New this year, Fringe-goers no longer need to purchase a festival membership, and all our tickets are (priced) between $16-20. We think everyone should be able to afford the magic of live performance. And if you want to help make the Fringe affordable for others, consider tipping the Fringe when you buy a ticket. You help us sustain the Vancouver Fringe for years to come.”