CULTURE GECKO
The Stalker of Bradford Woods is a Fun and Clever True Crime Sendoff Mystery that is Chalk Full of Heart and Sincerity
By Ezekiel McAdams
August 5 2024
The Stalker of Bradford Woods by Saskatoon’s The Little Company That Could is a delightfully fun mystery that is a love letter and wonderful addition to the true crime genre.
The production’s premise is that two competing two crime investigations are trying to unravel who is killing people in Northern Saskatchewan’s town of Bradford Woods. Carina, a true crime Podcaster/Influencer and a duo, Asher, a reporter and Mark, a photographer that are on assignment from their boss, DeAngelo.
The play is directed by Darius Kiskotagan and written and designed by Meeka Fast. It stars an ensemble cast featuring McKenzie Venus Rose (Asher), Aiden Maddison (Mark), Molly Chartier (Carina), Matthew Wiwchar (Librarian) and Ian Kimpton (Deangelo).
The production company’s name is apt as the play is unabashedly earnest, the script is clever and the cast are engaging.
Chartier encapsulated the podcaster/influencer stereotype trope with a sardonic, snarky demeanor that was hilarious.
Wiwchar as the town librarian captured a still energy juxtaposed some of the other character’s bigger personalities. Wiwchar was able to give a surprising turn as his character radiated passionate anger during one of the scenes that was palpable.
Kiskotagan’s direction was fast paced and carried a fun energy that kept the mystery engaging throughout the production’s short run time of forty five minutes.
Fast’s script was fun and clever with some great dialogue interspersed and the set design captured a mundane normalcy vibe and was very practical.
The Stalker of Bradford Woods is a quirky clever mystery that only staggers a bit in its quick runtime but it is heightened by the performances and script.
The Stalker of Bradford Woods is playing at The Cosmopolitans Seniors’ Centre from August 2-10th 2024 at the Saskatoon Fringe Festival. Tickets can be bought online here, the box office on site or at the venue itself.
Rose gives a very quirky, confident performance as Asher the reporter. Rose is able to give tiny nuances in cadence, delivery and physical performance.
Maddison conveys a charming, socially awkward, photographer who would rather be anywhere else. Maddison’s physical performance and delivery added humor when the production would occasionally drag,