Matti McLean is in Montreal Fringe supporting SOLOVELA
Join his YouTube channel HERE  - He'd appreciate it. 

Scions

There is something to be said about going all in on a concept. 

From the set dressing, to the decor, to the props - this project looks good. Clever uses of props and a great backdrop make a strong first impression. 

This is a great stage combat troupe. Their movements are well done and the combat is well choreographed- but your enjoyment of this show will depend strongly on how well you jive with the main conceit. 

This is a show about a brother and sister, two outcasts from a royal family who see the truth behind their father's lies and must now convince their other two siblings that there is another way. Presumably set somewhere in the past, the fighting is capable and the cast is clearly enthused and all in on the concept. 

The short runtime does the production no favors. For those seeking great story, the conflict is rushed and the characters instantly fall into basic archetypes with little to hold them together. For those seeking great stage fighting that is here, but the time spent on the story nearly detracts from the point of the production- which presumably is the great fighting. 

Stage combat in fringe is hard to pull off at the best of times, and the crew here is very clearly invested and having a great time. It's refreshing in Fringe to see something take itself so serious with high stakes, big drama, political unrest, family schisms and a sense of reverence for Game Of Thrones style storytelling. So often Fringe will undercut itself with dick jokes and buffoonery- so this style of self-serious and deeply invested world building is cool to see. Overall, this show could benefit from another 15 minutes to add more story to invest in the characters , a bigger cast to add more risks, and possibly even more of the stage combat to truly let the performers do what they're clearly here for.