Toronto Fringe Review: A Play We Wrote Just Now

Summing up A Play We Wrote Just Now: a film noir of resurrections, housewives, and double lives. At least that’s the performance I attended. Hillary Yaas and Selena Vyle curate an entirely unique improvised play for each of their Toronto Fringe shows. Using audience suggestions, all they work from is a title, genre, beginning and end location, and a rack of extravagant clothing and wigs. 

Involving the audience at every change, the drag queens tease and question call-outs and front-row favourites — a classic component of improv but done with exceptional cleverness by Yaas and Vyle. The two bounce off each other like a fiery game of ping pong, and their quick-witted snaps advance the on-the-spot plot as they do so. 

Although their show is improvised, Yaas and Vyle perform scenes with lighting cues and music. Controlled by the tech team, songs play suddenly and blackouts come unexpectedly. This, of course, only adds to the comedy of the show. Laugh-out-loud one-liners could be followed by lights out, or a performer could be cut off mid-sentence by a pop song. With random bits and bobs being tossed at the duo left and right, the two never falter in finding their footing. They always manage to keep the story going, no matter how out of this world it gets. 

The character portrayals by the performers are on-the-nose hysterical. With references to The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City or bringing the dapper flair of a detective in film noir, the personification by Yaas and Vyle is impressively robust. The two storm the stage with an eclectic bag of tricks, enticing audiences to return for a second bout of their improvised sensation. 

At curtain call, Yaas described the pair’s motivation to perform improv as finding ways to do drag differently. AttendingA Play We Wrote Just Nowis a brilliant way to experience what a unique yet exceptionally performed production is. Whether it’d be your first, second, or third dose of Hillary Yaas and Selena Vyle, it’s a show definitely worth attending.

A Play We Wrote Just Now is on until July 12 as part of the Toronto Fringe. Tickets and schedule.