| Popcorn |
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Grandma's Kettle Corn-Food Court
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This year's smash hit is none other than popcorn?
It's true, this is an amazing addition to the food
area. Light, fluffy so delicious you'll swear they
made a pact with the devil.
In actuality, this popcorn is heavenly. If you
take in one snack this year at the Fringe, this is
the one!
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| John Gordon
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| 5 Winnipeg Comics |
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Easy-To-Swallow Gel Caps-Wpg. Press Club |
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Girlfriends, masturbation, Winnipeg, and coming out of the closet (but don't tell his Mom and
Dad!) Great stuff. Genuine exploration of those
little things in life we all think about but dare not
share with others- until these guys do.
The comedy of Jason Beck, Kenton Carsen,
Trevor Boris, Warren D. Wayne and Jack
Berkowski is sure to please. Good for everyone
and the drinks are cheap.
If you like quality stand-up with a distinctively
Winnipeg flavour, don't miss'em.
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| Drew Fenwick
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| 9+ |
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Dancing Bear/Theatre New West—Borealis Books |
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OK, I have not seen this show at the Fringe, but I did see it at Pinterfest, and since they've added one short piece to it, I don't expect it to be very different.
If you did not see this show at Pinterfest, you should see it now. It features some of Winnipeg's very best theatre performers, including the always-amazing Rob Slade, who had his MTC debut this year after over 20 years in the business (in Dracula).
9+ is a good introduction to Pinter, a difficult playwright for many, but this group really makes the most of their material. An added bonus is the location, the best place in Winnipeg to browse for old books. Start your Fringe with this play; it will give you a good benchmark for future fringing.
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| Kevin Longfield
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| 69 Moments of Life |
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AQT—Planetarium |
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Go and experience the best 69.
69 moments of sheer class, visceral and beautiful movement, wonderful, life-changing stories, and an echo that lasts for days after seeing this show.
Soloist, Terry Costa, is so engaging—a stunning mover who uses wit, imagery and truth to capture his audience. Try and get to see this soon or you will miss the chance, I’m sure.
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| Niki McCretton
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| AFTER DINNER STORY |
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Persnickety players-MTC Backstage |
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This play proves that Kevin Klassen's Harry
Rintoul award last year was no fluke.
The production also benefits from solid
ensemble work and sure-handed direction.
Newcomers, Alison Vargo and Patrick Lowe,
hold their own well with veterans Graham
Ashmore, Kevin Klassen, Ross McMillan, and
Sharon Bajer.
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| Kevin Longfield
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| AFTER DINNER STORY |
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Persnickety Players - MTC Backstage |
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The show is total fun. Set in the genre of the
murder mystery a la Agatha Christie, Klassen
turns it on its head by making it thrilling and
funny. The excellent cast plays it straight and I
honestly can't see how they can resist breaking
out in laughter.
Great script, wonderful acting, see it.
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| Terry Tully
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| Bellum |
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EchoTheatre-WCD Studio |
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These 5 UofW Theatre alums have created a
beautiful collectively crafted piece. A
movement-based exploration of the theme of
war, the results are sometimes frightening,
often funny & truly inspiring. I have never seen
theatre like this before.
Each actor shows their unique talents while
working as part of a synchronized & polished
ensemble. Macabre, gorgeous, silly & very
smart. Do not miss this!
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| Eve Majzels
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| The Big Road* |
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Drunken Doll Productions-WCD Studio |
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The failing of this show is only that it seems to
be attracting the wrong audience.
The show I saw was filled with an older crowd
expecting an authentic 1940's radio serial. What
you actually get is an excellent parody of that
same style, rich with the melodramatic lingo that
makes those old programs so funny today. But the
plot has more to offer to a younger crowd: a story
of cybersex, internet pornography and all the road
hazards on the information superhighway.
With a twist of her eyebrows or sneering accent
we see a complete shift between a dozen charac-
ters by this very talented actress, Jenn Griffin.
Anyone who's ever downloaded porn will get a
real kick out of this show. That means all of you.
[*Ed Note: listed in Fringe program as "Road" in the program]
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| Sean Kowalke
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| THE BIG ROCK SHOW |
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Monster Theatre—Planetarium |
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The Big Rock Show is funny, smart and informative. All 3 of those men are talented, enthusiastic and adorable! Don't miss this one!
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| Anne MacNamara
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| THE BIG ROCK SHOW |
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Monster Theatre—Planetarium |
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Okay, so I thought I would check out The Big Rock, you know, just for fun. And Wow! It's like a kids’ show that is not really for kids. My favourite was Napoleon. He was awesome in real life and he's almost way better here.
I liked the songs so-o-o much I bought the CD and it hasn't left my car stereo since.
The Big Rock Show Rocks! Hard! Really hard!
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| Steve Richards
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| Big Stupid Improv Show |
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The Probable Cast—Wpg. Press Club |
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The perennial troupe is back and the first show at the Winnipeg Press club was—due in part to a lacklustre audience—a flat show. Suggestions were slow to come and the troupe was slow to respond. Improv been-there-and-done-that far too many times.
With a few vignettes with repetitive themes (what’s with the dad did me wrong stuff? Childhood issues left unresolved I suspect), what could and should have been an excellent show was flat and giggleless.The yuks should be there given the talent and ability of the likes of Chris Craddock, but they failed to be realized, especially given the way this troupe has come across in the past.
This is audience participation sport; and both teams—actors and audience—failed to make an impression. So folks, if you wanna go to an improv show, show up ready to play and hopefully the troupe will be there to return the favour.
That said, I’ll give em a second chance. You should as well.
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| Drew Fenwick
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| Bloomberg's Radio |
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Wounded Messenger Prods.-Cinematheque
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The title of this production is misleading, for
there is nothing in this play that has to do with
the mayor of New York City.
In her original production at last year's Fringe
Festival, Lesley Hughes told the story of how
the mayor (Blumberg) had given out free tran-
sistor radios to everyone, that aired only one
station - his!
This year the play would have been more
aptly titled "Censorship In Media." Hughes, a
well-known Winnipeg broadcaster, presented a
much better developed production in terms of
script, use of images shown on a white screen,
music, and presentation. This combination
made her message of how media uses journal-
ists to "tell the truth" as it suits "the emperor",
was hard-hitting and profound.
This is a "must see", especially if you saw
Ms. Hughes'production last year. You will come
away with a more critical view of the role of
media in our society today.
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| Nick Ternette
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| Boy Groove |
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Azimuth Ribbit Theatre Prods.-MTC Warehouse |
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Let's face it, teeny-bopper singing groups
are probably beyond the realm of satire or par-
ody. They are so ridiculous, so manufactured,
so self-aware yet unselfconscious, they practi-
cally write the jokes themselves. But that never
fazes Ribbit Productions, who follow up their
smashingly funny BOUNCERS with a near-per-
fect rendition of the boy band phenomenon,
BOY GROOVE.
The stereotypes are very much front and
centre, ideally portrayed by the cast. There's
Jon Patterson (the angry, muscular one),
Andrew Bursey (the sensitive one), Matt Alden
(the realistic one), and Adam Blocka (the
"ahem" flamboyant one). Giving it their all, they
ricochet about the stage, switching characters
with as much aplomb as they sing (surprisingly
well) and dance (a bizarrely comical mix of
strutting, posing, and jumping about like ADD
sufferers).
As in BOUNCERS, the cast performs as if
their lives depended on an excess of energy,
leaping from character to character, only paus-
ing for "introspective" moments that are as
painfully funny as they are endearing.
The cast and writer understand that you can-
not fully satirize the genre without the music;
happily, the tunes in BOY GROOVE are per-
fectly in sync with the style it lampoons, full of
silly lyrics and catchy hooks. The first single,
"You make my hips buck, baby," will stick in your
head long after the final bows.
In the end, BOY GROOVE, like the music,
doesn't really mean much. It exists only to
entertain, as the band members whine to the
press when attacked for their lack of honest art-
istry (led by a priceless representation of
Eminem). But it's as deep as the subject matter
allows; that is, as shallow as Justin Timber-
lake. See it, and be entertained.
Now, if someone could get that song out of
my head...
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| Corey Redekop
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| Boy Groove |
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Azimuth Ribbit Theatre Prods.-MTC Warehouse |
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Taking the MTC Warehouse by storm boy
band,Boygroove, proved pop is still alive, at
least until the end of this years Fringe Festival.
Filled with original songs (the type that stick
in your head and won't go away) like "You Make
My Hips Buck", Boygroove takes you deep into
the world of pop music, its ups, its downs and
everything in between. Sex, drugs, the media,
charity events, fashion, charm, good looks, girl-
friends, boyfriends-you get the picture.
Oh, and expect a reference to what happens
when a boy band prince dates a pop princess (like
anyone really believed she was still a virgin).
Matte Alden, Adam Blocka, Andrew Bursey
and Jon Paterson (he's from Winnipeg), are the
quartet that make Boygroove tick, and the natu-
ral chemistry they share on stage makes the 75
minutes they perform even more entertaining.
Go, see Boygroove, and be a teeny-bopper
again, Just try not to foam at the mouth.
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| Gareth Craig Mc Vicar
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| Boy Groove |
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Azimuth RibbitTheatre Prods-MTC Warehouse |
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Who are you kidding? I have never seen a
more handsome and delicious crew of young
men. Mmmmm. Mmmmm.
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| Michelle Fields
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| Cabaret Sinistre Presents |
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Cabaret Sinistre-MTC Up the Alley |
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I thought it was a well scripted and incredibly
well performed show.
The timing of this show was very precise and
the actors played their roles to a frightening
perfection. I want to thank them for making that
hour of my life so enjoyable.
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| Dave McConnell
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| Confessions of a Repressed Mennonite |
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Mennonite Bandit Prods.-Cinematheque |
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Very well done! Ton of laughs. Even Mennonites would enjoy it.
Don't miss it.
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| M. G. Turner
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| Cuppa-Jo |
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Jolene Bailie-WCD STUDIOTHEATRE |
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Mere minutes into Winnipeg contemporary
dancer Jolene Bailie's opening piece, "Etude",
you become very much aware that there is a
precision to the litheness of her movements
that is quickening your pulse. And whether it be
the high-stepping contortions of her second
piece, "The Illegibility of this World", or the raw
athleticism of her third performance, "After-
words", you are aware of a visceral response
as you marvel at her seamless fluidity.
But it is in her final piece, "Mara", that Jolene
truly displays her brilliance as a solo dancer.
Clad in an extremely long trailing dress and
with her long hair flowing about her upper body,
Jolene transforms herself into a mermaid and
the stage becomes her sea, through which she
glides sensuously, her form elusive and some-
how insubstantive. Through her floor move-
ments, we perceive waves where none exist,
and when she dances upright, we imagine glis-
tening beads of water dripping from her hair.
Even at rest, Jolene's body trembles in antic-
ipation of her next series of movements, height-
ening expectations in her audience. And
throughout her 45-minute show, she never dis-
appoints.
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| Robin Chase
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| Disco Goalie |
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splode-MTC Warehouse |
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This is what Yvette Nolan calls an OWJP: a
One-Woman Journey play. Like other forms, this
play takes us on a predictable path, and success
or failure rests on how well the performer works
with her material, and how well the material finds
fresh territory to explore.
Disco Goalie accomplished both tasks for me.
It's one thing to hold an audience's attention in a
100-seat venue, but it takes more professional
skill to manage the same task in the Warehouse.
Jane Miller explores the walls we put up to
protect ourselves from pain, and how often these
defences prevent us from experiencing joy,
much like the numbness a goalie feels when a
hard shot hits the leg pads.
I went to this show to fill in a time slot, and was
glad I did. It deserved a bigger house than it had
on Friday night.
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| Kevin Longfield
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| Dr. Dave and Mikey.. |
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The Imps-WCD Studio |
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I really enjoyed this one. Don't expect much
plot, but you'll definitely learn a thing or two, and
it's refreshing to see a group that doesn't take
themselves too seriously. It's like an episode of
"Bill Nye the Science guy, with Special Guest:
Crack Cocaine."
The humour is immature, but in a sweetly
innocent way rather than a childish one. I recommend it for families or anyone else looking for an
interesting hour without any language warnings.
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| Shawn Kowalke
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| Electra |
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Godspel Theatre—CCC
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I just saw Electra and I wanted to say ‘Bravo’, to a wonderful cast and director, for presenting such an engrossing story.
The acting was wonderful and the story held my attention from the very beginning. Just FYI, this runs closer to 80 minutes than the 75 in the program. Be sure to catch this if you can.
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| Sylvia Sankey
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| Electra |
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Godspel Theatre—CCC
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One reason I love going to the Fringe is that I can occasionally see a good production of a classic play. Electra was this year’s entry on the menu.
The actors did a good job of bringing the text to life, and this timeless masterpiece offers some lessons we all should have learned a long time ago, such as the truth that social rank and wealth are not reliable indications of character.
One indication of a piece’s quality is the way the actors handle minor roles, and in this production some of the best performances came from actors with few lines. On the night I attended the vocal energy was low in a few roles, which slowed the pace and made some speeches difficult to hear.
When you attend—and I recommend you do—avoid sitting in the corners. Often the chorus stands in the corners of the stage, which creates a pleasing visual image, but blocked my view of the other actors.
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| Kevin Longfield
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| EN-GER-LAND! |
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SCREWED & CLUED—MTC Backstage
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A brilliant show tying together a passion for football, the passion of friendships, and how friendships and football tie them together.
These 3 lads are once again brilliant actors who flowed together beautifully, and brought tears to my eyes along with laughs and smiles all at the same time. As a passionate football fan I absolutely loved this play and took my son, also a true football fan. We both walked away from this show feeling it had shown us a piece of life as we know it.
Everyone—not just the football fan, comes away entertained by this show. If you don’t know football, substitute your own passion (i.e., The Fringe) in its place to be totally blown away.
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| Lisa Sansregret
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| The erotic memoirs of St Gilles |
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Erik deWaal-Conservatory
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Mr. de Waal is back with another fantastic
work. I have been a fan for the last three years.
I was hesitant about the new show as it does
not take place in Africa; but I was bowled over.
This is a very strong script delivered with
subtle nuance. I keep being amazed at the
pe@ormer's ability to weave such an intricate
web with just the use of his voice and body.
His husky voice moves from being powerful
to sexy to heartbreakingly beautiful. With the
twist of a hand, the lift of an eyebrow, he
changes the mood, keeping you in suspense
about what's happening next, giving nothing
away until he surprises you with something
completely unexpected. At times he is
flirtatious or sexy, funny or sad, but he takes
you on a devastating journey with a chilling
climax.
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| Samantha Jackson
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| The First Time |
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Art in the City—Son of Warehouse
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Paul Hutchison’s one-man show "The First Time" is charming, nostalgic and funny. He’s very charismatic and relates well to everyone’s coming-of-age experiences. People looking for a show with guts and feeling should check out this gem.
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| Lori Nancy Kalamanski
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| Flavour of the Week |
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InTrouble Productions—Cinematheque |
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A one-woman comedic, touching, smart, sexy, poignant show all the way from New York. Don't miss it! Perfect for guys, girls, young, old, and everything in-between.
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| Ryan Gladstone
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| Flavour of the Week |
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In Trouble Productions—Cinematheque
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I just went to see this show and I am so, so glad I did. It’s a really nice story that follows one very important week in the life of a very funny woman. Alix Sobler’s timing is spot on; the jokes are great; and there are lots of them. I’m always delighted when someone pulls the comedy rug from under my feet and she managed to do it again and again. Lovely.
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| Chris Gibbs
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| FREEZE |
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Blue Sax Productions—MTC Up the Alley
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If you’re a fan of the new jazz radio station Cool 99.1 or of stories told by an excellent raconteur, then FREEZE is the show for you.
A quartet consisting of saxophone, piano, bass, and drums performs original musical compositions by saxophonist David Hasselfield. He recounts tales of events in his life, including his love of winter, his family and a trip to Bolivia to visit his in-laws. Each musical number has been composed as a companion to the tale that precedes it.
Hasselfield is a very good storyteller. The subjects range from light-hearted to serious but always hold your attention.
The music is of the smooth jazz variety with some blues and Latin American influences. The quartet, comprising some of Winnipeg’s top sidemen and session players as well as Hasselfield, are all top calibre musicians.
I found this to be a very satisfying experience as I had no idea what to expect when I entered the venue. Although the late hour (11:15 PM on Wed. night) made for a small crowd, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Even though this is a 90-minute show (including a 10- min. intermission) the time fairly flew by. Two members of the audience even got up and jived with great gusto to the last number.
This group has one more performance on Saturday at 7:30 PM. They deserve to have a packed house.
Be prepared to Conga!
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| Donna McKendrick
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