Fringe's immersive dark-theatre show mines fantasy and heart

Dwarves & Dark Places opens with an unusual staging concept: the show plays entirely in the dark, requiring audiences to bring a flashlight to light the stage. It's a gimmick that works.

The setting is a vaguely Celtic fantasy world where two dwarves, Goldie and Tumble (performed convincingly by Melissa Raftis and Jack Dillabough), are mining for a mythical substance. They discover the mine is haunted. While the program positions the show for fans of Dungeons & Dragons, Lord of the Rings, and World of Warcraft, no prior fandom is required — the story sweeps viewers up regardless.

Expository voice-overs from a mysterious British narrator describe the dwarves' actions, explain their relationship, and hint at hidden feelings. The narration felt overused at the beginning and end, underused during the middle sequences when dialogue gave way to more physical theatre. Jokes about the vanishing narrator at the show's end suggest this was intentional.

The flashlights are remarkably effective; the room never feels too dark, and the actors remain easy to see. Floods of coloured mood lighting in high-emotional moments add atmosphere beyond what the audience provides. The set and props are basic, making the real physical clowning the instrument for creating believable space.

Both Raftis and Dillabough maintain convincing Scottish accents throughout, adding gruff charm. The costumes are simple with expressive masks differentiating the characters. This is fun for clean laughs and a heartwarming adventure that ends well, as all good epic quests must.

Dwarves & Dark Places plays at Studio 2201 until June 28. Tickets are $14 plus service fees, available online, at the Fringe box office (67 Nicholas Street), and at satellite locations (3rd floor, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue; La Nouvelle Scène, 333 King Edward Avenue).