Hamilton Fringe, “Roller Derby Saved My Soul”: July 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24
A very last minute addition to the Hamilton Fringe Festival line-up, Nancy Kenny’s hilarious one-woman show, Roller Derby Saved My Soul, is sure to charm and delight.
About the play: Amy is a directionless woman just turned 30, still watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns in her basement apartment and living in the shadow of her more successful younger sister. Dreaming of the day when she could “kick ass” like the female superheroes she idolizes, something ignites inside her after catching her sister in a Roller Derby match. With a mixture of heartwarming honesty and snappy observations, Amy discovers an inner strength she never knew she had and maybe (just maybe) finally beats her sister at something.
Written and performed by Ottawa actor, Nancy Kenny, Roller Derby Saved My Soul was first workshopped in London (ON) at the Big Comedy Go-To. It then had a very successful world-premiere at the Ottawa Fringe Festival this past June, where it received multiple sold-old houses and won an award for Best in Fest, as well as the Juror’s Pick of the Fringe.
Kenny, who is not a Roller Derby player (just a really big fan), spent time training with teams in Ottawa, Toronto and Red Deer in order to do research for the script. She claims that at the heart of it all, “the piece is really about family – the ones your born into and the ones you create for yourself.”
What people are saying:
“(Kenny) celebrates the hero in all of us, and makes us want to go out, lace up pair of skates, and like this
play, kick some ass.” – Hannah Christie, Fully Fringed
“This is a feel good funny show with serious undertones. Go see it.” – Alvina Ruprecht, CBC Radio
“…tons of laughs mixed with genuine warmth, and a transformation-to-derby sequence that must be seen
to be believed… Nancy K is one of the premiere comedic actresses in town… and it sure as shit won’t be
a secret much longer.” – Kevin Reid, The Visitorium
“Roller Derby Saved My Soul is the kind of light-hearted, honestly funny story you want to find at Fringe –
and Kenny has it for you, geared up in elbow pads and a mouth guard.” – Holly Gordon, The Wig
“I can’t stress the fact that this show is pure gold.” – Matthew Champ, Shouldyouseeit.com
Tickets are $9 at the door. Show runs approx.. 50 minutes. Visit www.hamiltonfringe.ca for more information.
Roller Derby Saved My Soul
Written and performed by Nancy Kenny
Directed by Tania Levy
Hamilton Fringe Festival Venue #4 – DAC Studio – 28 Rebecca Street, Hamilton, ON:
Friday, Jul 15 – 05.30 PM
Saturday, Jul 16 – 08.30 PM
Sunday, Jul 17 – 05.00 PM
Wednesday, Jul 20 – 08.30 PM
Friday, Jul 22 – 06.30 PM
Saturday, Jul 23 – 10.00 PM
Sunday, Jul 24 – 02.00 PM
Tickets: $9 at the door
