| 2025 Editorials | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pick Your Target | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hanging In There | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dragon My Ass | ||||||||||||||||||
| Let's Get Things In Order | ||||||||||||||||||
| FAQ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jenny Awards | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jenny Awards 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jenny Awards 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jenny Awards 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 30th Year Special Features | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jenny Awards Gallery | ||||||||||||||||||
| Making Contact Write your comments/reviews. Sign your written submission and include a phone number or e-mail address where you can be reached in case we need clarification (phone numbers etc., will not be printed or given out); and get it to us by one of these methods:
Social Media Please Follow us on Social Media to get updates on Reviews, News and other content about the Winnipeg Fringe.
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Jenny Revue is a publication of The Jenny Revue Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, funded solely by advertising and donations. It is not affiliated with The Winnipeg Fringe Festival, MTC, or any other organization. Privacy Policy The Jenny Revue is published on Treaty 1 territory, the lands and traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Buzz – Reviews
Alana and Kaibo
Hijinx Drama Club Inc.—Tom Hendry Warehouse
The write-up says it was put on by adults and youth, but in actuality, there was only one adult, and the rest ranged from seven to 16. Considering their ages, they did a very professional job in the presentation.
However, even though the play sits in the regular section of the Fringe Program, it could easily fit into the Kids’ Fringe category. While adults will enjoy the play, it does not have a lot of adult elements, except of course the underlying theme: humans are destroying the oceans and endangering the lives of the inhabitants.
If I have to describe this adventure with one word, it would be “cute.” The puppets really steal the show in their size, variety and detail. Thanks to the students at Grant Park High School for making this visual spectacle possible. The actors did a wonderful job in bringing those puppets to life and giving them realism.
The show only runs 40 minutes, with time left over for Q&A.
Ray Yuen
WIT & WRATH: The Life & Times of Dorothy Parker
MissClaudiaPresents —Planetarium
Claudia Baumgarten joins us for the first time all the way from New Orleans to present her work about legendary writer and critic Dorothy Parker. She sets the mood with props and a dress from that era as she takes on the persona of Parker. She does a great job of presenting Parker’s history (both professional and personal) and includes readings of her poems, criticisms and other witty remarks. An entertaining display that piqued an already budding interest in the writings of Parker.
Murray Hunter
Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World
Duane Forrest—John Hirsch Mainstage
Everything is irie now that Mr. Forrest in in the Peg! Mon, his packed audience Loved him! I cherish shows where we are encouraged to sing along and we sure did! Duane doesn’t just reproduce Marley’s well-loved music note by note; but makes it his own with his personal stylings. Heart rending video enriches his show, baring the poverty and cruelty the Jamaican people experienced. Throughout he spins his life story to date, sharing how and why Marley had such a deep influence on him.
Speaking with him after the show, he couldn’t have been more warm, and kind and patient, posing for pictures as the crew tried to shoo us out. This comfy, actual theatre seats 290, so there’s a seat for you. Take it!
Lisa Campbell
The Get Laid* Show (*Or a date? Definitely a high five.)
TheOtherVName Productions—Duke of Kent Legion
Supremely vulnerable and hilarious show, and a perfect opportunity for anyone sick of all the commercialized algorithmic apps that structure our social interactions and romantic lives in modern society. Highly participatory show, but in that really kind way that doesn’t push anyone past where they’re willing to go, only encouraging them to explore. What you get from this will depend on what you (and the rest of the audience, admittedly) are willing to bring to the table. Perhaps you will be one of this years success stories, good luck!
Josh Fidelak
The Monkey’s Paw
Stumble Upon a Story—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)
Performed in very creepy masked costumes as pantomime to music and a narrated reading of the well known short story, an eerie mood is effectively generated. The visuals are provided by Jo Dixon and Sarah Higgins as the various characters, with just a few key set pieces, and that complements the soundscape with the uncredited narrator’s great deep voice really creating a great spooky presentation. Just a note, it is closer to 45 minutes long.
Murray Hunter
BRAIN
Blair Moro—The Rachel Browne Theatre
Brilliant casting! A delightful mix of whimsy and depth.
Natacha Ruck
ImproVision: Anti Pasta
ImproVision—Duke of Kent Legion
For anyone who has yet to see ImproVision, imagine 2 highly skilled, trained and confident Fringe improv veterans, armed with water guns and well polished improv games, and surrounded by drunken lunatics/Fringe performers full of the worst suggestions possible. Yearly highlights, so for anyone who’s somehow managed to avoid them so far, get on board as soon as you can. They should probably better vet the attendees they arm with the water gun, as our executioner was trigger happy, but at least the folks in the splash zone were given a plastic sheet for defence.
Josh Fidelak
Chase Padgett: How to Play Guitar Poorly
Chase Padgett—PTE – Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage
Virtuoso guitarist Chase Padgett brings a much more personal story to this Fringe. The root of the stories is his relationship to the two father figures in his life, his Dad and his music teacher Mr. Maxwell. He carries the story along with the 8 tongue in cheek lessons to ‘play guitar poorly’ which are a counter-point to his path to mastering of his instrument and figuring out life.
He goes with his acoustic guitar this time out playing some of his own work, which adds to and underscores parts of the story. He also features few classics that were from very important moments in his life such as ‘Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out’ and ‘Tears in Heaven’, the later as a tribute to his Dad.
Quite a moving piece, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house at the end. A much deserved standing ovation greeted the end of the performance.
Almost forgot to mention, he really can sing really well too.
Murray Hunter
The Redemption of Heracles
Chronically Ch(ill) Productions—Planetarium
Where do I even start with this show? It was my favourite so far by a significant margin. I’ve always enjoyed Hailley’s fresh takes on Greek myths and stories, but she has truly outdone herself this year. The props, the sharp take and new perspective, and the arresting switches between perspective. This is an incredible show, and a shorter one that should be easy to squeeze into your schedule no matter how busy.
Jordan Phillips
The Goose
Tin Fish—The Gargoyle Theatre
This gentle, wholesome, beautifully repackaged story feels nostalgic and familiar despite being a contemporary interpretation of Japanese folklore. Attendees can easily allow themselves to be convinced that they are watching an adaptation of a traditional prairie fable. The subtle allusions to female labour, quiet suffering, and meeting in-law criticism with grace in domestic life blend with a moral lesson in the importance of faith and honesty in marital partnerships in both good times and the bad. The lovely presentation of these themes with period costuming and shadow puppetry feels as timeless as the rural Canadian setting of playwright Ellen Peterson’s not-yet-classic new work.
Ashley Frantik
