Water

Viva Dance Company—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Through my Fringe journeys, I’ve seen a lot of dance shows (A LOT!). I love dance routines, especially when they show off how elegant, agile and beautiful the human form can be. Some of the shows I’ve seen are truly spectacular; this one stands among them.

Admittedly, often I don’t get it—I walk out of the theatre and think to myself, “I loved that show, but I didn’t understand it. What were they trying to say and what were they doing?”

Thanks to some well-timed narration and appropriately lyricked songs in this presentation, I got it! And it’s beautiful! If you only see one dance show, see this one. You’ll love it.

Audiences in Winnipeg love to give standing ovations. I’ve seen people stand and clap for absolute garbage. This was the first Fringe show of the year that I’ve seen where people got off their seats—and
this time, it was well-earned. I was off my seat too—and that says a lot.

Ray Yuen

Sansei: The Storyteller

Cloudsway Dance Theatre—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Storytelling and dance interwoven to tell the tale of Japanese internment, it’s past present and future. Deeply heartfelt, this show manages to demonstrate both the scarring pain such a horrific act caused, and the happiness born from perseverance through it. Funny, informative and heart-wrenching, this show is a must see in a country full of the invisible scars of horrors wrought within living memory.

Josh Fidelak

It’s All Relative Productions

So, do you want to talk about it?—The Rachel Browne Theatre

Anxiety is hard topic to talk about. That’s what Ingrid and Mia find out when their friendship emerges over a commonality with the mental disorder. Together they try group therapy, meditation, yoga, dance, and even talking to help find a path to healing. Along the way there will be some tears, and some laughter, and an understanding that talking can lead to health, and friendship.

From the creators of Filter This and One Date City (★★★★ Winnipeg Free Press).

Magnificence

Doctor Keir Co.—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

I have yet to miss one of Keir’s Shows (unless it is a remount) in the 15 years he has been performing at the Winnipeg Fringe. There is a good reason for that. You will always enjoy a piece of true theatre by a consummate professional. I love the different direction this year’s offering takes, away from the professorial and into the passionate. His love and respect for his late mother and her very remarkable achievements comes through in a way that brings out a side of Mr. Cutler that I haven’t seen before. And it is lovely.

He celebrates May Ebbitt Cutler’s life using the backstory of a book she wrote about another remarkable woman, Madame Day, a strong, unique Indigenous woman who was ahead of her day. The tale is completely engaging, made more moving by its being fact not fiction. I highly recommend reading the program for a more complete background to this historical story; and more about Mrs. Cutler’s numerous accomplishments. I could relate to the setting very much; having spent a lovely month in a ritzy chateau in the Laurentians, near the very Mont Tremblant, and the village of Saint Sauveur; imagining what it was like back in the period she wrote about.

Keir has, to my mind, softened, as we all do, as we become orphans, no matter our age. He has shown us a new side, and I certainly appreciate that. Bravo!

Lisa Campbell

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life

Quivering Dendrites—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

I was told to see this by performers who had loved this. I’m so glad I listened! I love, love, love this man! A touching, soul-baring true life (has to be as he said so 3 times) tale about mental health through banjo playing. The title really says it all. Uncomfortable stepping outside himself, CPA Keith Alessi realized that true bluegrass meant jamming; and that meant having to join other folks. Besides being a talented musician and wonderfully warm story teller, he’s just a genuinely nice person with a true appreciation of the banjo. He humorously shares how he overcame some personality traits that were holding him back from fulfilling his life, through finally learning to play the instruments he was hoarding in his closet. I won’t spoil it but let’s just say he has some of the most memorable banjo jokes.

Keith mentioned the Jenny first, as the place to send reviews! Yay for us!

Buzz has it that he is planning to donate some, or all of the proceeds from his shows to some, yet unnamed charity, as he is not hard up for cash. I spoke to him after the show, sharing the story of our Winnipeg bluegrass friend, Dave Nishikawa, of the Magnificent 7’s, who was left for dead in a hit and run bike accident, and never fully regained his magnificent banjo skills. Keith sincerely promised to check them out. A real, warm and personable guy.

Lisa Campbell

Chase Breyer: Part Time Substitute Teacher, Full Time Canadian Super Spy

SNAFU—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

From the talented cast of this year’s War of 1812, comes Chase Breyer and his superb physical comedy. This guy is so lean and lithe, he can carry off wearing 4 suits of clothing without a hint of a bulge. The title is deliberately misleading. His being a substitute teacher has nothing at all to do with the story, and he is a spy, but definitely not a super one.

You come to this to watch and relax, be well amused and laugh. There isn’t really much of a plot, but you don’t need one. You can just sit back, giggle at his amazing agility, silly yet amusing script and chuckle at his clever use of the overhead projector and political digs. If you’ve been seeing a lot of serious shows, this is just the ticket to get some comic relief (and watch him guzzle a lot of Sleemans). This guy definitely rules his stage and you won’t regret the hour well spent with him.

Lisa Campbell

Hot Dogs at the Eiffel Tower

Gallant and Bold—Rio – Portage Place

Come along with British ex-pat, the charming Maggie Gallant from Austin, Texas, as she shares the strange, yet character building quirkiness of her childhood with rather unusual, to say the least, parenting. A hint of what’s to come occurs when asked what time she was born, her mum responds ”How should I know? I wasn’t there.”. That leads to some sleuthing on the part of young Maggie, who discovers- her parents are not her biological parents!

This leads to an intriguing tale, as due to the stigma of adoption in those days, little was revealed about birth parents. At the time, prevailing thought was this was best. So Maggie develops the parents of her imagination, especially her most certainly romantic and dashing French Papa.

But this is not to be, and we share in the joys and disappointments, as the truth is slowly revealed. A most entertaining, humorous and enjoyable ride; and you even get free bonbons!

Lisa Campbell

Quirky

Son of Kimmy Zee—Platform Centre

This outstanding one-man show (sold out tonight) is deliriously brilliant, side-splittingly funny, engaging, well written, and utterly captivating. [My ribs are still aching from laughing so hard]. Making his Fringe debut and holding his audience with ease, Zeglinski delivers a solid comic (yet well-balanced, tenderly tragic) performance – tonight, to an enthusiastic full house. Devouring his compassionate tackling of the struggles and hysterically awkward maturation moments that arise, and have arisen, from Zeglinski’s young lived experiences with Asperger’s, he very much earned his audience’s standing ovation.

Raven Heck

Moonlight After Midnight

Concrete Drops Theatre—John Hirsch Mainstage

A wonderful opportunity to see Fringe fave and veteran performer Martin Dockery perform with his lovely wife, Vanessa Quesnelle; instead of his usual solo acts. This is her first performance after the birth of their baby last year. That life changing experience was the topic of Martin’s wonderful show last Fringe, Wide Eyed.

This creepy story develops slowly, twisting and turning, changing eerily into something other than what it seemed to be at the onset. As the drama develops, the intensity increases, bringing us all into the mystery and heartbreak of this doomed romance. Will this be the end for these lovers, or will there be other midnights? This is a treat for true theatre buffs and has been performed and appreciated around the world.

Lisa Campbell

The Comedy Illusions of Greg Wood

Comedy Illusions of Greg Wood—Son of Warehouse

My spouse and I went to the performance earlier today. We found Greg’s performance to be very entertaining and family friendly. Greg has a masterful way of weaving very humorous and entertaining stories into his magic and illusions. It was so nice to see that it is family friendly which means we could take our 12 year old grandson to the performance. So nice to see a local entertainer who works so smoothly with the audience and his performance. I would recommend this Fringe show to anyone.

Lloyd Gwilliam