CULTURE GECKO
Tragedy or Triumph is an Ambitious Risk Mixing Improv with Shakespeare Resulting in an Unforgettable Cocktail
By Ezekiel McAdams
August 5 2025
*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.
The audience member chooses to go with one of two options presented by the ensemble to perform; a tragedy or triumph. This audience member chose triumph.
Performer Martina Vos opened as host for this particular production.
Spontaneous Shakespeare’s Tragedy or Triumph: An Improvised Shakespearean Epic by The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company is an ambitious unadulterated jaunt that blends unpredictability with a respect and knowledge of Shakespeare’s collection.
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This is one of two productions this year that are part of the Fringe Festival’s BYOV (Bring Your Own Venue) being held at the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan site at their Raynor Whiteside Financial Group Community Stage.
The performers included were Delaney Gilmour, Martina Vos, Nikolai Witschl, Rafael Rogers, Trista Peterson and Zach Wolfman.
Witschl honed chameleon attributes from everything from King MacDonald, a cow, to a mother seamlessly. Witschl alternated facial expressions, physicality and affectations with ease.
Gilmour used quick wit, comic timing and sensibility to not only embrace the absurdity around her. With animated facial expressions, self aware altitude that evoked similarities to the characters on NBC’s mockumentary sitcom, The Office while still capturing the surreal nature of the show jumping in head first.
Vos brings a plucky spunk that is magnetic using physical comedy, affectations and energy to jump in when needed.
Rogers is able to resonate this cocky, confidence persona well but also brings vulnerability that allows the physical movement and facial expressions to resonate, shine and be unmistakably memorable.
Peterson captures pragmatic and weariness energy well from the side eyes and self awareness that this is a surreal absurd journey the audience is on. She serves as anchor to the troupe perfectly, coming in needed and adding choices and nuances that are engaging.
Finally, Wolfman embodies a gregarious yet bumbling dripping confusion and wearing the happenstance of each situation on his face. Wolfman’s expressive nature and raw energy make him a surprising standout of this production.
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.
Tragedy or Triumph: An Improvised Shakespearean Epic by The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company is running at the Shakespeare on Saskatchewan site in the Raynor Whiteside Financial Group Community Stage from July 31-August 9th 2025 at the Saskatoon Fringe Festival in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Tickets can be purchased online here, the box office or the venue itself.