Brutally funny and unflinchingly honest, In Stitches is the latest Fringe hit from comedian Katharine Ferns (MTV, ichannel). Using comedy for catharsis, In Stitches takes audiences through the visible and invisible scars of surviving mental illness, domestic violence, and drug addiction — with some feminism thrown in for comic relief. Based on true events from her own life, the story begins on April 21, 2016 — the day Prince passed away and Katharine ended up in stitches (literally). Through personal insights and a lot of laughs, Katharine’s acclaimed solo show leaves her audiences in stitches (figuratively).
Ferns says, “This is the most honest comedy show I have written. Violence and mental health are issues we don't talk about enough, and through comedy I am able to talk about my experiences in way that is empowering but also honest. Since performing this show in the UK, I have received so many messages from fellow survivors and people that want to be advocates for change in how we deal with domestic violence in society. These inspiring audience reactions propel me to keep telling my story and hopefully it helps others talk about their own experiences too.”
Following her critically-acclaimed performance at the Greater Manchester Fringe, In Stitches plays the Edinburgh Fringe Festival August 3-27 before hitting the Vancouver Fringe Festival Mainstage September 7-17. After the Fringe circuit, Katharine takes In Stitches on a cross-country Canadian tour, including a performance in the small town where the events from her show actually happened. Ferns adds, “In a sense, I’m returning to the scene of the crime to tell my story and reveal the truth of what happened to me there that I hid from everyone for so long.”
Vancouver Fringe Performance Dates and Times
September 7-17, 2017 at Performance Works (1218 Cartwright Street, Granville Island)
Sept 7 at 5:05PM. Sept 9 at 3:50PM. Sept 10 at 7:05PM. Sept 13 at 5:20PM. Sept 16 at 8:20PM. Sept 17 at 3:50PM.
Tickets: vancouverfringe.com
Preview: September 2 at 9:00PM Havana Theatre. Tickets at the door.
Photo: Andy Hollingworth