The Buzz – Reviews

Fakespeare’s Macbeth

Jack&Marlowe—Son of Warehouse

The packed house thoroughly enjoyed the show; which is not a play, but a comedy sketch which bounces off Shakespeare’s Macbeth in this go round. Patrick Hercamp, of Sound and Fury fame does a great job of keeping his audience happy as he whips through his show, sometimes speaking so rapidly he’s inaudible. This is an old criticism voiced by previous reviewers. I heard many glowing comments as we exited ; such as ‘that was a great time!’. If you love Shakespeare, this is a rewarding 45 minutes.

Lisa Campbell

pool (no water)

Kinetica Creative—Théâtre Cercle Molière

Extremely stark play about the arts, jealousy, and the absolute desolation that these can bring onto people and their social relationships. Featuring a cast largely pulled from the U of M theatre program, this adaptation of Mark Ravenhill’s script is filled with energy. The physical theatre aspect was strong, but for the most part understated, which wasn’t unappreciated but I would have definitely enjoyed a greater focus on it during the show. Purposefully uncomfortable, and a show for the brave of heart.

Josh Fidelak

Tycho Freakin’ Brahe!

Kiss the Giraffe Productions—John Hirsch Mainstage

This nerdy, campy, professionally presented local musical is ridiculous in all the right ways. Tycho Freakin’ Brahe! Is a pseudo-historic romp full of Knight’s Tale–esque anachronistic parties, duels, and rockstar swagger (pun abso‑freakin’‑lutely intended). The cheesy props, costumes, and projected backdrops perfectly match the show’s irreverent tone. Reminiscent of The Book of Mormon, the show blends science puns, fact, and absurd comedy to great effect.

While infectiously wacky, a few scenes and numbers feel padded with jokes that landed better elsewhere in the show’s sharper, more polished moments. Even so, the cast commits 180% to the bit, delivering performances that sparkle with the enthusiasm of outlandish farce. The show also benefits from some clever structural turns and reliably catchy tunes, courtesy of Winnipeg Fringe mainstay Joseph Aragon. The title song is especially freakin’ memorable and will be wormed into your ear long after the curtain call.

Ashley Frantik

You’ve Been Served

Pushy Productions—Planetarium

I had a relative who always went for the “bad boys.” She liked the risk associated with this sort of person and the excitement that it brought.

Unfortunately, bad boys grow up to be bad men.

The risk involved theft, bullying and eventually mental and physical abuse. Meanwhile, the perfectly respectable guys sheepishly waited on the sidelines, ready to pick up the pieces. They hoped to be the next Amor, but alas, they often stayed “just friends.” That is sad on so many fronts, both for the nice guys and especially the womyn who get abused.

This is the plot that ran through my head while listening to Zeigler’s story. She jumps from one bad marriage to another disastrous encounter, enticed by the allure and the danger of the mystery and the unknown. Even knowing that she’s diving into the underbelly of society, she blindly pursues the life, hoping for bliss and reward at the end. Meanwhile, the down-to-earth person is the saviour she hopes to bail her out when everyone else fails her.

It’s a sad story, and I hope people can learn from it. Bad boys, or bad partners, might (and that’s a very loose “might”) have a place in youthful exploration, but leave the garbage people in the landfill. Noemi Zeigler tells this story through song, dance, and discourse in an entertaining and fun outing.

Ray Yuen

The Gallery Wall

evens and odds—Son of Warehouse

Written by Evan Thomas Martin, this is a cute drama/comedy about two women meeting at a moment of personal transition, and the interesting drama that this interaction brings. Well acted and well written, the two characters have fantastic chemistry, and the unfolding of their fraught histories in their conversation was well structured and presented.

Josh Fidelak

The Auntie Show

Broken Record Productions—MTC Up the Alley

It is the Auntie Show, staged as a Radio call in show where the Aunties give advice, answer questions, and tell stories. The stories are then acted out as sketches. A couple of the sketches were weaker than the others, but overall they contained a lot of laughs and come from a point of view that only the Aunties can provide. Don’t mess with the Aunties!

Murray Hunter

Control: A Psychological Magic Show

Gregoire Entertainment—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall

This family friendly magic show draws plenty of repeat attendees familiar with Winnipeg mentalist Patrick Gregoire’s previous Fringe performances. His polished stage presence and rapport with viewers of all ages is evident in this year’s offering. With an intense soundtrack and dynamic lighting to heighten the mood, Gregoire has excellent command (control?) over his audience.

In one section for the show, these theatrical elements may have unintentionally revealed a trick from certain sightlines, but most were delightfully inexplicable and enhanced by the atmospheric effects. Gregoire is sufficiently convincing, clever, and charming for the audience to believe; or maybe he was simply manipulating our thoughts the whole time.

Ashley Frantik

The List: A Traumady About Probiotic Masculinity

Conseil Keith Serry—Son of Warehouse

Stories about breaking generational trauma are a challenging task at the best of times but Keith takes us into his toxic upbringing with heart, warmth, and laughter. You wouldn’t know from watching this performer that it was his first solo show as he quietly navigates us through these dark subjects, but his vulnerability opens the door and allows us to share in his healing.

Touching and moving without being sorrowful there is a reason this show was nominated for Best Storytelling and Best Script at last years Montreal Fringe. The world needs more good men willing to step away from being ‘the man.’

Tim Hogue

Emil Amok, 69: Everything’s Flipped

Emil Amok Guillermo—MTC Up the Alley

Heard about the cancellation of Stephen Colbert and need something to help fill the soon to be hole in your heart?

Part storytelling but greater part topical political humour, how you’ll feel about the show depends entirely on your relationship with the main sort of politically liberal, American, late night talk shows. This might not be the best show for me personally, but the jokes landed well, a challenge when reacting to current events. Things really do just keep happening all the time. The personal highlight for me was Emil’s exploration of his family’s history from the Philippines to California, and the relationship that Filipino communities both past and present have with the legacy of Marcos and Duterte.

Josh Fidelak

A Pete Seeger Tribute

Woody’s Choice—CCFM Salle Pauline-Boutal

This show is exactly what it says on the tin: a live band singalong to Pete Seeger’s repertoire, albeit with some questionable and sparse ingredients. Audience members may wish to study before attending this performance, as the band offers very little in the way of context and generally do not provide lyrics despite their large, underutilized overhead projection screen and repeated invitations to sing along.

The musicians seem to be underprepared and underrehearsed, often unsure of what the next tune in their set was or the details of relevant anecdotes that would have added more depth to their tribute performance. While the intention to celebrate Seeger’s spirit is clear, the band ultimately lacks the enthusiasm and musical confidence necessary to lead the kind of communal, energized singalong they seem to envision.

Ashley Frantik