Vancouver Fringe tips of the day: Ese Atawao, Marrow (2016)

There’s a very particular excitement that comes when you discover new talent.

In Sean Reycraft’s script One Good Marriage, we meet a young couple whose recent marriage was swiftly followed by tragedy. The play is about grief and community.

Playing Steph, the wife, Ese Atawo delivers a thrillingly subtle, moving, funny performance. Relatively recently, Atawo moved to Vancouver from Toronto. Here’s hoping that local companies give her lots of work so that we can keep her here.

I also found a playwright who’s new to me.

In Marrow, Veronique West introduces us to two sisters. Morgan is an academic with an original take on witches. Her sister Maura has been in treatment for bulimia.

With these characters, West dives into an intelligent and complex investigation of female power and personhood.

Marrow is well performed by Alexandra Lainfiesta and Baraka Rahmani.

So much fresh talent. Makes me happy.