Emergency Ops
Illustrium Creations—RRC Polytech
Everything you hope not to see during a municipal emergency response. Local performer Hayden Maines plays all five members of their sleepy towns emergency operations department, challenged far more by the travails of office life than the pig shit and chemicals spilling out from a crash. After introducing the cast, the persona and costume changes increasingly speed up, as he cracks jokes and details the situation’s descent into absurd chaos.
First night hiccups are always to be expected, and Hayden keeps an admirable amount of plates spinning in the air. The pace and humour definitely work well, but the primary gimmick of having all the characters played by the same actor feels a bit superfluous.
Josh Fidelak
Adam Bailey: My Three Deaths
Still Your Friend—The Studio at Le Théâtre Cercle Molière
Adam Bailey’s new show centers on three times in his life where he died (or was at least presumed dead). Those stories are just part of his personal journey in looking at death and grief after having to face three deaths of family members within a year. He really brings the audience along, sharing all these stories from different parts of his life as well as some very keen observations about how society deals with the end of life. While sad at times, there is enough humour (including some delving into the appropriateness of humour around death) to make a very engaging and well crafted performance. Bravo!
Murray Hunter
Chuckle Hunters Improv
Chuckle Hunters Live—The Rachel Browne Theatre
A long form improv show with a twist: one improviser chooses the costumes and characters for the others, who only discover their roles as soon as they walk across the stage. That same improviser also has a prediction for how the story will end, but will they be right?
Expect ridiculous costumes, tomfoolery, storytelling, fun, and chuckles!
Hercinia Arts Collective
Money Fish: Balls, Balls, Balls—
Hercinia Arts Collective brings their unique brand of ‘WTF is this’, combining dance, clown, acro and juggling into a show set to classical music that feels somewhere between vaudeville and classic cartoons come to life.
It’s a kids’ show, but will also appeal to adults with a silly and absurdist sense of humour.
Interstellar Theatre Company
I Hope You Know—Creative Manitoba
I Hope You Know follows a queer student, Niko, and their father Dave. The two have been estranged since Niko was a kid, when they meet again on a train. They undergo the awkward conversations about Niko being misunderstood and Dave not knowing how to understand. With limited time and a monologue deadline on the horizon, Niko and Dave have to sort things out before the train comes to a stop, or they may never have the chance to.
This father-child play is performed by the exact people it’s written about.
Thinking & Feeling Theatre Company
After August—Tom Hendry Warehouse
“After August” follows Avery Blake in the aftermath of a tragic accident that took the life of her brother and left her severely injured. Months have passed and Avery is still haunted by her physical injuries, along with the vivid visions of her brother every time she’s alone. Is her guilty conscience playing tricks on her, or did the crash break more than just her bones? Join Avery as she tries to find peace again in a world that has moved on without her…and August.
Yet Another Venture
Glitterbomb: A Sibling Bonding Story—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)
Anyone who has a sibling will relate to the chaos, laughter, and most importantly weird childhood memories that come up when siblings get together. Join our sibling trio as they reminisce, argue, and dance to the BeeGees. We hope you enjoy the trip (pun intended)!
M.P.M.M Productions
EGGSHELLS: The Spectrum of Fatherhood, Imposter Syndrome and Finding my Light—Son of Warehouse
Regret is the echo of a decision we once thought was right. 14 years is a long time to not be on a stage, doing what you love, sharing your gift to the Fringe masses.
Having numerous hurdles the last few years, regaining the courage to find my light to do this again. A memoir from childhood, starting a family and everything leading up to this. Performing on a stage… what made me happy
Rem Lezar Theatre
The Best (?) Non-Denominational Holiday Concert Ever!—Tom Hendry Warehouse
Have you ever had to sit through a thoroughly mediocre Christmas concert? While sitting there watching the inanity unfold onstage, have you ever looked over to the director and wondered how they came to create the nonsense they’re putting on in front of you and have the gall to call it “entertainment”?
…Perhaps not, but Christian M. Leeson did, then he wrote and directed a show about it. This is that show. Go see it or my kids will cry.
Comedy Illusions of Greg Wood
Fringe Family Fun Show—Théâtre Cercle Molière
A fast-paced, laugh-packed, mind-bending magic show that’s taken the Fringe world by storm! The Fringe Family Fun Show combines dazzling illusions, outrageous comedy, audience participation, and just enough chaos to make you question whether the magician is actually in charge. (Spoiler: he isn’t.)
Not your average magic show—this is what happens when:
