Vancouver Fringe Festival superfans aim to top personal record

A pair of Vancouver Fringe Festivalsuperfans are aiming to set a personalrecord byattending at least60 showsover the course of the 10-day event.

ElaineMcRitchie, 59,and Russ Miranda, 66, didn't start off as Fringe keeners when they began attending the festival 15 years ago.

"It's a gradual process. We didn't start off as crazy as we are now," McRitchie said from the couple'sBurnaby home, where they wererestingbefore hitting the theatres onGranville Island Friday night.

The married couple addeda few more performances to their roster each time until they hit their peak last year 56 shows. Now, they're aiming to top that.

A love for independent theatre

"We love independent theatre, and that's what the Fringe fosters," McRitchie said. "It's a joyous experience. When we go to the Fringe, the lineups are fun. Everything about it is fun."

Neither hasa background in theatre. McRitchie, an office worker who takes time off to attend the festival, studied theatrein high school. And Miranda, a retired restaurateur, used to host dinner theatre at his Abbotsford restaurant.

"That's how I got really involved in seeing plays and knowing the background and the hard work that went into it," he said.

McRitchie and Miranda are such dedicated fans, they donated more than $1,000 to have their very own day named after them Saturday, Sept.10 aperk that includes free passes to the festival.

Packing it in

Attending five to seven shows a day is no easy task.Over the years, McRitchie and Miranda have gotten their routine down pat.

It starts in July when the Fringe program guide comes out.

"Scheduling is a big process. It takes weeks to figure out your schedule," Miranda said.

The couple and their friends pour over the guide and research reviews of the shows at other Fringe festivals. They also keep in mind artists they have seen before, some of whom they have watchedprogressover theyears.

During the festival, they pacethemselves like athletes competing at the Olympic Games, taking food and rest into consideration as much as their show picks.

"Eating is a problem," McRitchie said."One of the things that we try to do is carry food with us.We'll have like bags of nuts or fruit things that don't make a lot of noise."

For newbies, their advice is to not overcomplicate matters and remember tohave fun and enjoy the atmosphere.

"Take in everything. Go to the Fringe bar, go and hang out just where the box office is," McRitchie said.

"It's talking to everybody. It's feeling part of this scene that's absolutely the most vibrant part of the city."