DEAN LISK
The Daily News
George LeBlanc is performing a one-man skit at the Neptune Theatre Studio as part of the Atlantic Fringe Festival. (Daily News/Paul Darrow)
George Leblanc is like the kid in the Sixth Sense: he sees dead people.
"I also speak to them, and they speak to me," he said. "But, I am as sane as you. I eat, and drink, and I can put on my pants one leg at a time."
Leblanc says he is a medium, and will talk about his abilities in an Atlantic Fringe Festival show called Confessions of a Medium. His is one of 33 productions being mounted at five venues during the 17th annual festival, which runs tomorrow through Sunday, Sept. 9.
"It's a way of getting the message out and demystifying what a medium is," he said. "We see all kinds of stuff on TV and it makes it difficult to let people know what a medium does."
Return appearance
Leblanc, who is from Halifax, was asked to do the show after he appeared in last year's festival production of To Sleep Perchance, In Search of Edgar Cayce. He played Cayce, a popular American psychic who died in 1945.
There was a lot of interest in the play, and Leblanc was asked to reappear this year. He decided a biographical show, talking about his own life and how he has developed his special abilities.
The play unfolds as though he is being interviewed, where he answers the questions posed by an imaginary interviewer.
Explaining his abilities
"I going to be talking about what mediumship is and the fact everyone has abilities," he said. "And, to discuss some of things which have happened, starting in my childhood - that I can remember happening - and then understanding as an adult what these things were"
Leblanc said he is empathetic - meaning he has the ability to sense emotions - a conduit for healing energy, and can channel messages from spirits.
"When I do a reading, I am not a fortune teller. I don't tell people they are going to win the lottery," he said. "It is more about them. I am able to see the past, pick up on their emotions. And, if there are any spirits that want to come through, I do that."
As part of the show, Leblanc will spend time interacting with the audience and give spiritual readings.
dlisk@hfxnews.ca
IF YOU GO
l WHAT: Confessions of a Medium
- WHERE: The Khyber Centre, 1588 Barrington St.
- WHEN: Today through next Sunday. Visit www.atlanticfringe.ca for times.
- TICKETS: $8. Visit the Atlantic Fringe Festival box office at 1593 Argyle St.
MUST SEE
Wondering what to go see at the 17th annual Atlantic Fringe Festival? Here is a sampling of some of the 33 plays in this year's lineup:
- ADVENTURES IN LA LA LAND: There is trouble in this all-ages comedy when the Tooth Fairy wants to retire and the Sandman wants to take over.
- LA FAMILLE DIVINE: Jerry Springer meets the Greek gods in this French-language production by students from Ecole du Carrefour in Dartmouth.
- MAGICK: Sebastian is a magician who believes he is Doug Henning's son, but when his best friend, mentally challenged Denton, dies, he is out to prove the boy's father is responsible.
- THE ROAD LESS GRAVELLED: In this show, a woman recounts her funny stories of growing up in a Newfoundland fishing outport in the '70s.
- THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO MORRO AND JASP: Two young clown sisters hold a trial to see what happened to the last cookie in this all-ages show.
- TORONTO ADVENTURES: A Maritime actress tries to find her way in the big city after moving from Cape Breton to Toronto.
For dates, times, venues, and a complete list of shows in the festival, visit www.atlanticfringe.ca.
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