Reviews

Jo Ledingham

. . . didn’t see that coming
Performance Works
September 7, 10, 12 and 14

Beverley Elliott disparages her big-boned body but let me tell you, it’s all heart inside. On a cold winter night you could warm your hands on this show. “Aunt Bev” is, undoubtedly, everyone in the family’s favourite aunt but her luck with men, she admits, is “crappy.” With a teenaged daughter but never married, Elliott goes looking online for love but didn’t see what was coming: forty-seven (!) coffee dates looking for “Mr. Right.” Not all the material is about finding romance, however; one scenario relates falling in love as a teenager with The Guess Who and discovering there’s more to the world than her Presbyterian parents had led her to believe. With a show created from episodes, it’s tough to build an ever-increasing arc and this show feels as if it has several endings. Elliott is at her best when she’s in a rage; she can lift the finish off a laminate floor when she gets going – all that curly red hair ablaze. And although it’s clear she’s trying for some balance, the quieter bits feel somewhat sentimental by comparison. But it’s a terrific show by an amazingly generous performer. Icing on this cake is her gorgeous voice.


Revue Vancouver

HappyGoodThings Productions
...didn't see that coming by Beverly Elliott

Performance Dates 5 -7, 10, 12, 14 at Performance Works

Performer Beverly Elliott

I reviewed Elliott when she did Lucille Starr at the Firehall and again with her band August at the Shadbolt a few years ago, and she's a terrific and versatile singer, as well as a funny stand-in comedian. In this fringe show, this beloved Vancouver actress sings and talks to a sold-out crowd about her life in a small town in Ontario where she worked in a gay bar, and other stories. She not only made us laugh, but also made us sad, particularly about her friend Frida who committed suicide. She's very charismatic and uses four letter words despite the fact that there were children in her matinee performance last September 6th. But wht the heck! It was a PG show and the kids came with their parents. She even went down to the audience and talked to us one by one, and when she came to me she said "Nice shirt". This is a must-see show but better get your tickets before the her show sells out.


(re)view from the house

 ...didn't see that coming 
written and performed by Beverley Elliott

directed by Kerry Sandomirsky

musical direction by Bill Costin

Happy Good Things Productions

A consummate professional, Beverley Elliott had her audience in the palm of her hand from the minute she walked out on to the stage.  Singing and narrating her autobiographical journey, she had me chuckling through her on-line dating 40 plus dates at the food court in the Brentwood Mall, her revelation that there was another life outside small-town Presbyterian Ontario and gigs in gay bars. Loved her show.

The Plank

"didn’t see that coming" - An Experience You Can Relate To...

Fringe Description: Funny · Musical · Intimate

MJ Ankenman
September 8th, 2014

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"didn’t see that coming" a phrase many of us can relate to you when reflecting on moments in our life. Beverley Elliott, a local actress known for her role as Granny in the TV series Once Upon a Time, shares her “didn’t see it coming “ moments of her life.  

Online dating, her first rock concert and the endurance of a hot yoga class are some of her stories interspersed by original songs sung by Elliott in a clear, crisp powerful voice that captures the hope and awe this actress has in the life that has unfolded for her. This is a life of an artistic, creative middle aged women who grew up in a strict Presbyterian household, travelled to the West Coast and stayed to pursue her dreams.

Hmmm… I just realized I described parts of myself. Perhaps this is why didnt see that coming is selling to sold out shows. Elliott has captured the essence of a life well lived filled with laughter, tears, hope and love, something her audience can relate to. 

Out TV

…didn’t see that coming (Performance Works)

Beverly Elliott is one of the warmest and sunny performers. An accomplished actress and singer she explores her adventures in dating, getting older and celebrates her middle age body. In-between comedic stories staged by Kerry Sandomirsky she belts out songs accompanied by Bill Costin. Although funny and sometimes moving the stories are also a little random as they jump around the time line, and don’t culminate into any major theme. But the almost sold out crowd and I roared our approval and leapt to our feet in thanks for such and entertaining show.

Jewish Independent

...Elliott’s was a one-woman show, but pianist Bill Costin added well-played and well-timed musical (and other sound) accompaniment, as well as being funny in his own right, and he provided some lovely harmonies in the vocal arena. The performance moved along quickly, with Elliott sharing both humorous and touching stories of her life, from her lack of success with internet dating – “47 coffee dates and I’m going broke” – to a longtime friend committing suicide, to a New Year’s Eve show at Vancouver’s Royal Hotel, hot yoga and more. Interspersed with the stories were many songs, several of which were original numbers, and they, too, ranged from the silly to the sentimental. It was a standing-ovation-garnering performance.