Still Kicking, Still Pushing: Local Theatre Festival Launches its 11th Year
If there’s one thing to learn from attending theatre events, it is that live theatre is unpredictable and that’s just part of its charm. The Kick & Push Festival kicked off its 11th year with a launch event at the amphitheater by Springer Market Square. Fittingly, the opening event reflected both the spirit and the name of the festival. (A quick history lesson: “Kick and Push” comes from a nickname for the Kingston & Pembrooke rail line, notorious for needing a little kicking and pushing to get going.) It is fair to say the festival launch started similarly, running a little behind schedule and dealing with a few technical difficulties. But once it kicked into gear, it was fun, informative, and filled with all the elements that make theatre so great.
The audience was full of the familiar faces of local community artists, fans of local theatre, and people strolling by who had little idea what they had just walked into. The host, Nic Lindegger, carried the crowd through a mix of live and virtual sneak peeks of upcoming shows, including an excerpt from Love? and Other Letters read by Alina Siwy, a teaser of The MaryRobin Show by Deaf Spirit Theatre, and a scene from Life More Sweet that didn’t happen because even the most dedicated actors do not want to wrestle on concrete during a heatwave (Director Tim Fort promises that this one is a must-see!).
Musical guests, Fakejazz Orchestra, stole the show. You wouldn’t guess it from the richness and fullness of their sound, but this is a two-man band: Nicholas Lennox on the “most electronic saxophone possible,” and Henry Lawrence on the drums. Together, they performed a lively set that had the crowd moving to instrumental versions of popular hit songs. Some tourists even stopped by for a quick dance session. Later, 48 North’s Ryan Kiloran and Hailey Hatfield gave an acoustic performance of a song from their show titled “As the Trees Grow.” Hailey’s vocals backed by Ryan’s guitar and harmonies? Chef’s kiss. Between previews, there were giant Jenga blocks, a photobooth, a theatre-mask making station, and an ongoing game of ‘complete the musical lyrics’ to keep attendees entertained.
We also got peeks at Oh MotherF***!, a stage adaptation of Andrea Superstein’s eponymous Juno-nominated album that promises stories of parenthood, music, and the hilarious things that happen when they come together; Eat It Anyways, an autobiography of Tall Mark who is a bard, poet, jester, and host known for his playful compositions and observational humour; and The Turing Test, which gave us a glimpse of a human and an AI talking about love. A cast member from 1969 stopped by to give what seemed like a straightforward show intro, but was suddenly hijacked by loud anti-war chants popping up across the amphitheatre. Turns out, the chants were from other 1969 cast members and not protesters randomly passionate about Lyndon B Johnson. It was totally planned but attendees were almost stunned for a moment. Theatre, everyone!
Liam Karry, the festival’s artistic director, briefly talked about the celebration of curiosity, innovation, and art in this year’s festival. He shared about Providence, a site-specific piece staged on the tracks of the actual K&P railway to honour its 150th anniversary. He also teased The Metamorphoses, a wearable art experience by regional artist Lisa Rich, and Love in the First Degree, described as an interactive 80s courtroom drama. “You haven’t seen anything quite like this,” he promised, and maybe it was just how sure he sounded, but I believed him.
The Kick & Push launch was a reminder of what makes theatre so special: it is live, it just might surprise you, and most importantly, it is fun! I left the Market Square with my curiosity high and my calendar ready to take in some theatre shows in the next few weeks.
The Kick & Push Festival is an annual innovative performance festival that takes place in Kingston, Ontario. This year’s festival runs from July 24th to August 17th, 2025. More information about the festival can be found here
