"I still remember sitting in the fanciful tent with the free opening night drinks, and the complimentary popcorn, waiting with anticipation for Curios to begin when it came through town. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen, and yet my heart doesn’t shatter and my soul isn’t crushed knowing that I’m missing more Cirque du Soleil shows.

     However, as I sit here on Vancouver Island knowing that exactly 1235 kilometers away, Merk and her Sideshow Boobs are taking the stage, I am inconsolable with grief.

    I was lucky enough to see the first 'Merk' (with Josh Travnik, Kristina Hunszinger, Rebecca Merkley), and I have to say that it was possibly the hardest I have laughed at a Fringe show in 10+ years I have been attending the Fringe Festival (and I didn’t need a drink, Kellogg). The stunts were imaginative, the bits were priceless, and the music was imperfectly perfect! The story is heart warming and makes me feel feelings of happiness as well as more happiness.

    I have been closely following each instalation via social media, and each season looks bigger and better than I could have ever imagined. Merk (Rebecca Merkley who I would almost literally give my left arm to be in a show with) runs as tight ship with her usual flair and panache as her Sideshow Boobs set the stage while all being held together by the One Lady Band (there are no words to describe her brilliance Yvonne Boon). Social Media shows me perfectly executed characters, photograph angles, and some wonderful Instagram takeovers that really gave me insight on what it means to be a Boob. It’s lovely to see these "actually attractive" people do something on social media as well as on stage.

    And now some things for promotion: this show is by far a glowingly positive poster worthy quote. 

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   Watch the 4 stars on stage give a 5 star show."

- Jason Hardwick