(Taylor’s Version) is a very fun, bubbly show about friendships, relationships, and Taylor Swift. Centred around a group of 3 friends, portrayed by Chelsea Howell-Fellows (she/her), Donna Ng (she/they), and Grace Fedorchuk (she/her), the show shows the importance of friendship as romantic relationships fall apart and start anew, all through the lyrics by and love for Taylor Swift.
As a former/lapsed Swifty (die-hard fan of Taylor Swift), I loved the integration of her songs, and the inclusion of the conspiracy theories that abound on SwiftTok (the Taylor Swift corner of TikTok).
Co-directed by Samantha Ketsa (she/they) and Cayley Wreggitt (she/her), the show does a great job of showing the importance of female friendships, and being able to rely on those friends when things get tough. In addition to co-directing, Cayley is also the playwright, and Samantha choreographed the movement and dance incorporated throughout the piece.
I had previously seen an earlier version of the script at the start of the summer, but the additions and adjustments made to the play are wonderful, and make the friendship of the 3 characters even more relatable.
For full disclosure, I have friends, family, and acquaintances involved with the production, but when you work in theatre, it’s hard not to know someone involved with most shows.
The show is a 90-minute one-act show, and is running September 21-24 at the Big Secret Theatre in Arts Commons. It’s a piece I think most everyone will enjoy, especially if you are a current/former Swifty, or if you have someone in your life who is. I know that I had an absolute blast watching the show. Definitely a fun night out.
Calgary’s Independent Critic 