The Illusionary Magic of Sitruc James

The Illusionary Magic of Sitruc James—PTE – Colin Jackson Studio

A classic Fringe magic show, combining classic illusions with some light comedy. The repertoire of tricks was impressive, filling the hour long show time, ranging from illusions to (Large) card tricks. Curtis and his assistant have good chemistry and charisma, however the microphone Curtis is working with occasionally caused some issues. Great for families, and a thoroughly enjoyable show.

Josh Fidelak

jem rolls ADVENTURES IN CANADIAN PARKING LOTS

jem rolls / big word—Planetarium

Coming into his 21st Fringe Festival, jem rolls returns to his spoken word poetry roots with a collection of poems and some anecdotes about their creation. He is a master of creating lyrical smart poems that combined with his delivery creates a wonderful experience. His poem about the Canadian Fringe Circuit and stories about the journeys across Canada are worth coming to see on its own, but adding in all the others makes his show a must hear and see.

Murray Hunter

outside, in the laneway, under the stars

Hard Times—Planetarium

If you want to relax in a comfortable, spacious (read-you can actually get tix!) venue and be treated to a warm, engaging story, this is the show for you! I was drawn to the charm of John’s face in the program and charm he delivers! I find it so appropriate that his last name is Sweet, as he’s certainly that and more.

I found myself already looking forward to Part 2, as this is, unusually, a two part show.

Time flew by and I’m sure you too will enjoy this sincere, heartfelt tale of a man’s growing awareness of what it means to find a place in this world as a gay man.

Lisa Campbell

Third Party

Brighter Dark Theatre—MTYP – Mainstage

An emotionally maladjusted himbo boyfriend and his manipulative girl boss girlfriend with skeletons in the closet take on MPI’s homegrown Columbo to disastrous results for all involved. Coming off their hit success, House of Gold, at last year’s Fringe, Thomas McLeod and Brighter Darker Theatre bring their A game again with snappy dark humor and clever dialog. Being MTYP alumni, they take great advantage of the venue in order to stage their tense phone calls that start off the show, which also serves to improve the acoustics for a challenging interaction in most theatres. Opening night saw a fantastic crowd (a timely gasp at a dramatic reveal being a highlight) making a recommendation seems a bit redundant, but for anyone somehow on the fence, Third Party has mine regardless.

Josh Fidelak

Berlin Waltz

Devon More Music—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

I saw Devon More’s first show a few years back and loved it. She was back the year after and we haven’t seen her again until now—and I’m so happy she’s back. Her first show was looping and overdubbing of simple sounds that ended with super songs. In her second outing, she weaved cosmic imagery into developing more assembled music.

This year, she incorporates a tale to go with the musical development. By no means is this a light theme, but More injects some entertaining and fun elements. There aren’t as many songs as in past since much of the time goes to the story arc. However, the tale adds another dimension to the presentation, and the songs that maturate through the oversampling sound as deliciously polished as they always have. Every time I see it, I marvel at how well More manages to create such great songs with such apparent ease.

Ray Yuen

Hockey Sticks and Beaver Pie

Melanie Gall Presents—Théâtre Cercle Molière

Melanie Gall is thinking of calling Winnipeg her new home and we showed her the welcome back she deserves ! It was different to see her stray from her usual, more historic tales and concentrate on us- Manitoba. She relates many unusual facts that make us special. It was hilarious how often the amazed audience whispered “I never knew that!”. As a singer myself, it’s always nice as she encourages us to sing along.

With her operatically trained, beautiful voice and charming stage presence, this work is special, especially if you call Manitoba home.

The show was packed. I literally saw the huge parking lot empty out after her show. We’re obviously on to something great and you should be too!

Thank you Melanie!

Lisa Campbell

Rob and Jenny’s First Date

Dark Horse Theatre—John Hirsch Mainstage

A deeply horny and bricked up play. After some time to establish how and why this restaurant has such fantastically terrible service and engage in slapstick physical violence, we get right into sexual humor and voyeuristic scenarios. The writing achieves what it needs to achieve, and the actors bring confidence to their roles, but ultimately if this is for you depends on how much you enjoy humor that revels in awkward situations, many of them sexual in nature. If that sounds like you, I don’t think there’s going to be a better example in this years Fringe.

Josh Fidelak

Misterman

Prairie Coast Productions—CCFM Salle Pauline-Boutal

With its core theme of the use of rigid conservative morality to justify violence against those arbitrarily deemed unworthy or inferior, Prairie Coast delivers a timely performance of Edna Walsh’s ‘Misterman.’ Rather than finding comfort in religious faith, the character of Thomas wields it punitively with little nuance or remorse. His misery and withdrawal from society is self-imposed, though he fails to recognize it as such. The play is unflinching in its portrayal of moral absolutism and isolation being twisted into superiority and hostility.

The production leans into the play’s thematic darkness with precise use of sound, light, or lack thereof and is anchored by a fiercely committed solo performance. Actor Daniel Tompkins brings impressive physicality and energy to the role, fully embodying a range of characters, with seamless physical transitions that help clarify the fractured narrative. However, while the physical distinctions between characters are clear and effective, his vocal delivery is less varied. Tompkins begins at a high level of intensity and rarely pulls back, which over the course of the play can become overwhelming. A greater range in vocal dynamics would allow for more texture, and emotional build throughout the performance.

That said, Tompkins still elicits empathy for his violent and misguided protagonist. Through his performance, the audience grasps the profound loneliness in his failure to find belonging or connection in his community. This emotional throughline pays off in the play’s final moments, where the actor lands a heavy conclusion with skill and restraint.

This performance is a relevant and unsettling portrait of how easily righteous suffering can curdle into violent judgment, especially when warped by isolation and a desperation for respect from those feeling a lack of power, support, and agency in their lives.

Ashley Frantik

Heart Ripped Out Twice And So Can You!

Linnea Bond—MTC Up the Alley

Magnificent and Memorable! This beautiful, thoughtful, moving gem is my Fringe favourite so far and I’m telling everyone to go!

Linnea Bond pulled me in from moment one and held me rapt to her tearful last words. She was actually crying with her joy of being here. I was too.

Her props were exquisite, she made the whole stage hers and she owned every inch with her dancers lithe body and riveting script. Her concerns were my concerns. I’ve often thought of the ‘hot, hot, hot’ world my grandchildren have inherited. Her astute analysis of the sorry state of the world today, especially the US, were the exact thoughts I hold. This work was so intelligent, thoughtful and just plain theatre perfection. There’s so much to this show but I don’t want to give it away. I want you to experience this masterpiece for yourself. My one small criticism is I didn’t think her song to her baby at the end added anything to an already 75 minute show. No one would sing those words to an infant.

Brava Linnea!

Lisa Campbell

Reviewing The Free Press 2

Happy Capybara Productions—Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame

The “2” felt a bit misleading with this show. I saw the original late in its run last year, so even most of the new bits (about last year’s review, for example) had already been incorporated. It also didn’t flow quite as smoothly as last year, though it’s quite possible for that to be chocked up to opening night jitters. All that being said, this is genuinely a funny show, and a somewhat vindicating take down of the crushers-of-dreams that many reviewers are. I have no doubt this run will become more polished as it goes along, and if you didn’t get the chance to see the show last year, I would strongly recommend taking this opportunity to do so.

Jordan Phillips