Last Day At Whoopee Kingdom

MTYP’s Summer Studio—MTYP – Mainstage

Many of us will never forget our first, dead-end job. We also won’t forget what made us stay, come hell or high water; we needed that paycheque, or that reference, or our parents made us, something. This glimpse behind-the-scenes of Whoopie Kingdom might trigger nostalgia or some form of PTSD (or both) for the disgruntled retail or service worker. The production demonstrates a surprising amount of disillusionment and life experience from the teens involved, mixing high school relationships with the struggles and fears of a young adult in the workplace. The commentary on our dominant work culture that couldn’t care any less about the workers is sharp and witty and packaged in no small amount of whimsy. While I wish they had carried their revenge even further, this production carries a lot more depth than I expected. If this is the future of the arts in Winnipeg, it’s a vibrant and resilient future indeed.

Jordan Phillips

No Die!

Fedor Comedy—Pyramid Cabaret

I remembered really enjoying Fedor’s( pronounced Fay-door) comedy from two years ago; so he obviously left a great impression. He delivers again this Fringe. He’s a very entertaining fellow from the Netherlands and deserves bigger crowds . He came all this way to make you laugh; so you can make the 800 metres to the Pyramid . He has 2 shows left. So, if you want to be sure of a seat; and more importantly, be well amused, please take this in.

As he brings you along on his various journeys, you will learn important information such as what the title means and how to take a ‘cool shit’. Recommended!

Lisa Campbell

After August

Thinking & Feeling Theatre Company—Tom Hendry Warehouse

The general rule is that comedies do better at the Fringe, which is why I love when someone has the guts to do a drama, and by golly is this a drama. A heartfelt and gut-wrenching exploration of world-altering grief and the self-destructive behaviours it can push us toward, this show will break your heart over and over again, both for better and for worse. The set and lighting design absolutely blew me away. There is one point near the end that might seem odd to any who have taken their share of first-aid classes, but that is a very minor complaint for such a beautiful production.

Jordan Phillips

The Auntie Show

Broken Record Productions—MTC Up the Alley

The sketch comedy in this show is brilliant. Well written, well acted (though Tracey Nepinak is, unsurprisingly, in a class of her own), and with a slew of very fun props, it’s absolutely hilarious. It’s also a clever demonstration of the difference between someone making fun of someone else’s culture or stereotypes and poking fun at your own. My only criticism is that I kind of wish they had done away with the radio show bit. I’m assuming it was an attempt at connecting all of the sketches, but by the midway point, it just felt like it made for unnecessary scene changes without actually adding anything to the play.

Jordan Phillips

Literally against all odds

inspired I theatre—MTC Up the Alley

Anyone who has worked with children will know that, while it can be some of the most rewarding work you will ever do, it can also be some of the most infuriating at times. Spencer perfectly portrays the educator who’s at the end of her rope, and when rhetorical questions are lobbied at “children” among the “class’, it’s very difficult not to answer in an attempt to ease her stress. The closing moments of the show are simultaneously a fantastic tribute to teachers who may never see just how much of an impact they’ve made and a rather terrifying image of a potential future. Fantastic show, if you don’t mind a slight feeling of existential dread as you leave.

Jordan Phillips

Crabs Gone Wild

Pinchy Productions—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

This show had a lot of fun things to offer. The cast were clearly enjoying themselves, I loved the Monty Python reference, there were some very fun sight gags with costumes and such, and even the central joke to the show was funny if you enjoy Austin Powers level humour. I just wish they had used that central joke more sparingly. If they had varied the innuendo a bit more, or just said it fewer times even, I would have enjoyed this show a lot more. Unfortunately, no matter how funny a joke is, if the same one is told the same way an average of once per minute, it gets a bit grating after a while.

Jordan Phillips

Life, Love, and Lack Thereof

hiljames movement—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

A number of people said to me that they don’t understand dance. I tell them to listen to the music. The music often sets the mood, whether it be exciting, melancholic, sad, angry or joyful. Let the music guide your sensations then immerse into the movements. Sometimes, you get a story or a description and song mood changes act as easy cues to what’s happening.

Today, I really didn’t get it. The opening was excellent but the closing of the first dance? Eating a full helping of rice without music? Then the five minutes it took to clean the stage? I was completely lost.

The opening of the second dance lost me a bit too. I understand it was a meal preparation but with no music, it felt more like a mime.

The final dance didn’t take any insight to know what was happening but it was also much more contemporary than what you often see from dance shows.

In all, I enjoyed the run very much, even if I didn’t get everything. Sometimes you don’t need to.

Ray Yuen

Jimmy Hogg: Potayto Potahto

Jimmy Hogg—RRC Polytech

The brave and courageous king of the rabbit trail, this is a hilarious mix of stand-up comedy and story-telling. As a fan of a number of comedians from the UK, there was one bit in particular that I found a lot funnier than those audience members unfamiliar with certain vernacular, but as long as swearing doesn’t put you off too much, this definitely isn’t a show to miss – but get your tickets in advance (if there are even any left). My only complaint: I don’t understand where the title came from.

Jordan Phillips

The Best (?) Non-Denominational Holiday Concert Ever!

Rem Lezar Theatre—Tom Hendry Warehouse

What delightful chaos this show is. If you like children, if you have worked with children, or if you find the absurd hijinks of children occasionally entertaining, then you will find this show heart-warming and relatable. It made my wife miss her students, and it made both of us laugh, and occasionally sigh from cuteness.

Jordan Phillips

Houdini: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Oddly Entertainment—CCFM Salle Pauline-Boutal

I have seen a fair few magic shows over the years, and with my lack of eyesight, they can be a bit hit and miss at times. If the reveal is small or subtle, I can often miss it. Brett Oddly – I mean, Houdini – was great in that regard. One, because a show about escapes is a lot easier to see than close-up magic, and two, because even for some of his other tricks, he took visibility into account (i.e. replacing tiny needles with more visible razor blades for one trick). This is right up there with the best magic shows I’ve seen, and it has the added, historical interest of being a recreation of a performance that Houdini himself gave in Winnipeg over a hundred years ago.

Jordan Phillips