My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

THE COMMANDMENT Comes To Toronto Fringe

By:

Simple Truth Theatre will present The Commandment, a dark comedy written & performed by Phil Rickaby, & directed by Richard Beaune, and assistant direction from Adrianna Prosser, at the Tarragon Theatre Extra Space (30 Bridgman Ave.) as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival, from July 3 - 14, 2019. The Commandment is a comedic solo play, with a surprising emotional punch.

While the play is not autobiographical, it does draw lightly from Rickaby's own experiences (though not the part about talking to God). I started writing The Commandment as a way to deal with the suicide of a loved one, to occupy my mind, Says Phil Rickaby, It was supposed to be a silly play with a ridiculous premise, but as I wrote, my own anger and sorrow started to come out in the character of Thomas. It was through the writing of the play that I found some peace, and also learned to find humour and laughter again.

The Commandment has been seen at Fringe festivals in Hamilton, Halifax, and Saint John where it was named Outstanding Solo Show, and received rave reviews from both audiences and critics alike.

Phil Rickaby and Richard Beaune are founding members of Keystone Theatre, who's silent film style play The Last Man on Earth was awarded Best of Fringe at the 2012 Winnipeg Fringe and was held over at the 2012 Edmonton Fringe. Phil is the host of the theatre podcast Stageworthy, and co-host of the podcast The Introvert's Guide To... Richard has worked at both the Stratford Festival and Shaw Festival, and is also the director of the Canadian Comedy Award winning show Trapped in Taffeta. Adrianna Prosser directed the Best of Toronto Fringe winner Meet Cute at the 2015 Toronto Fringe, and also won Best of Fringe for her performance as Jenny in the 2012 production of The Shape of Things. Adrianna is also the creator, producer and star of the smash hit one-woman show Everything but the Cat

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Touring Production - Top 3
1. Hadestown
10.7% of votes
2. Hamilton
8.7% of votes
3. & Juliet
8.6% of votes

Need more Toronto Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Good Kid – Band in Toronto Good Kid – Band
Danforth Music Hall Theatre, (5/21-5/21)
John Cameron Mitchell: Hedwig 25th Anniversary Movie Tour in Toronto John Cameron Mitchell: Hedwig 25th Anniversary Movie Tour
The Danforth Music Hall (6/28-6/28)
Jonathan Van Ness: Hot & Healed Comedy Tour 2026 in Toronto Jonathan Van Ness: Hot & Healed Comedy Tour 2026
The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres (10/23-10/23)
Iggy Beamish Destroys Traditional Marriage @ Fringe MTL in Toronto Iggy Beamish Destroys Traditional Marriage @ Fringe MTL
Petit Campus (6/13-6/20)
887 - Ex Machine / Robert Lepage in Toronto 887 - Ex Machine / Robert Lepage
The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres (12/10-12/13)
CINDERELLA by The United European Ballet Company in Toronto CINDERELLA by The United European Ballet Company
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (11/24-11/24)
A Beautiful Noise in Toronto A Beautiful Noise
Ed Mirvish Theatre (4/28-6/07)
Hypnosis Unleashed: An Evening of Comedy & Surprises in Toronto Hypnosis Unleashed: An Evening of Comedy & Surprises
FALLSVIEW CASINO (8/22-8/22)
Matilda - Closing Night - Maggots in Toronto Matilda - Closing Night - Maggots
BNZ Theatre (7/05-7/05)
Matilda - Worms in Toronto Matilda - Worms
BNZ Theatre (7/01-7/04)