The Merkin Sisters: DEUX

Stephanie Morin-Robert—PTE – Mainstage

There was a great reason to make this absolute gem my kickoff to Fringe 2023. If you are silly enough to only take in one show, this would be my choice. Stephanie Morin-Robert and Ingrid Hansen gift us with gorgeous choreography as they move as one, hilarious puppetry perfection and the most amazing, creative costuming you will ever see! Their playfulness and superb sense of humour charm the audience even before the show starts as they tease and interact throughout the crowd. No seat is safe!

A cohesive, masterful effort, that weaves diverse characters and themes effortlessly. These women own their stage, even while naked. Their true professionalism is proven; as a running part of the show is incorporating new ideas submitted by the crowd that are pulled from a jar throughout the show. I was bouncing to the extremely catchy music and was blown away to learn it was their original soundtrack! Available free by QR code after the performance.

This is my ideal Fringe show. The amount of work and thought that was obviously necessary sets the bar high for others. The audience was thrilled, with the theatre full of screams of laughter and beaming faces. The thing that really melts my butter is the way their warmth, true kindness, and real love of what they do shines through. Brava!

Lisa Campbell

Bremner sings: Everything in New Orleans Is a Good Idea

Big Empty Barn Productions—Rachel Browne Theatre

In his latest show Bremner Duthie showcases his own music interspersed with stories about New Orleans and how it has influenced his own journey to finally take the gamble to write and perform his own songs. His wonderful voice carries the show with a great collection of stories and songs that are inspired by his adopted hometown.

He brings back one song from last year’s show that was not his and a dress (also not his), as a tribute to Princess Stephanie, who he describes as someone whose sometimes biting criticism will give you the kick in the ass you need to make some changes in your life.

Murray Hunter

Robert Will Show You the Door (tales of being fired)

Susan Jeremy Productions—Planetarium

What do you do when you’ve been fired from about 90 jobs? You write a fringe show of course! A woman takes us on her journey of terrible jobs and the lessons she learned along the way. Playing all the characters herself, Susan Jeremy did a great job of portraying all of her former bosses and coworkers with very specific movements and mannerisms. The actress had terrific energy and some great one liners. A lot of the jokes were very cute and made me giggle. That being said, the show relied heavily on impressions that were very stereotypical and a few that would have been considered offensive by many. This is a show for the older crowd but featured some funny stories that anyone could relate to. A great show to bring your mom or dad to.

Kaitlyn Kriss

La La Luna Sea

All About Theatre—John Hirsch Mainstage

I often sit in the back row because I want an panorama of the entire stage, especially at a large venue like MTC Mainstage. Most of the time, it gives me a great view but there are times when I’m at a disadvantage, like today. I could not hear any of the actors’ voices and from the start, I was lost. Often, there are one or two cast members with weaker vocals I have trouble catching, but for the first 20 minutes, I could not hear any of them.

Just before the halfway point, they all found their stage voices, which made the outing perceptible. The title is apt, as there is a load of lunacy, a wad of wackiness and a flittering of fun. It’s not all touchdowns as some of the witticisms were fumbles but generally, it was a cute outing.

Perhaps it was first show jitters but if you’re taking in this show, I would sit near the front, just in case.

Ray Yuen

Keith Brown

At The Table with Keith Brown—Alloway Hall – Manitoba Museum

WINNER of Critic’s Choice BEST MAGIC SHOW Orlando 2023

World-class magic & storytelling from Fringe Vet Keith Brown will BLOW YOUR MIND! At The Table is fun for all ages.

“an hour of laughs, bewilderment, and sleight of hand.” – Parton & Pearl

“Brown’s performance is pure joy” – My Entertainment World

“a real deal magician, and a wonderful storyteller. You will leave believing in magic” – Stageworthy Podcast

Salvador Dinosaur

Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project—Pyramid Cabaret

Otto & Astrid from the Berlin band Die Roten Punkte have travelled to Winnipeg Fringe TEN times!! That’s how much they both love Winnipeg, they get on a plane with their drum kit balanced on Astrid’s lap and Otto holding 3 guitars and arrive ready to explode onto the stage and make a party in your pants! So what are you waiting for, RUN to the Pyramid Cabaret for Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project!!

Merlyn Productions

The Blabbermouth, the Puff Monster, and the Wolf—Tom Hendry Warehouse

FAMILY-FRIENDLY fun! Twelve local talents re-create three traditional Ukrainian folk-tales in under 1 hour, using cheap props for even cheaper laughs (cheap tickets, too – they’re all just $10 at the door)!

Better than All-You-Can-Eat Borscht, and funnier than a Babushka with a big stick (although we’ve got one of those, as well)!

Merlyn Productions Theatre Company is back on stage after 3 years. Bring the kids (and bring Baba, too)!

FAR FETCHED PRODUCTIONS

Dog Gone—Planetarium

A comedy about a dog, what more could you ask for? See the co-creator of “Come From Away” perform. See the writer’s first play since her hit “Slut” at the Toronto Fringe. Written specifically for a Winnipeg audience.

“Boy does Brenda ever know her dogs and what they mean to us.”

“Irene is totally charming and she sure can tell a good story.”

“Listened to every word, I was hooked from beginning to end.

“I laughed and a little misty-eyed too!”

Jim Loucks

Booger Red—The Output at Video Pool Media Arts Centre

Jim Loucks is bringing his rollicking solo-performance back to the Winnipeg Fringe. Loosely based on Loucks’ childhood, it’s the story of a Preacher’s Kid struggling to find his own unique voice, emerging from the shadow of his larger-than-life father, a Hellfire and Brimstone Southern Baptist preacher.

Audience reviews:

“He changes character so convincingly in persona and dialect, and his wonderful singing voice blew me away!”

“An outstanding hour of wonderful moving storytelling.”

“Loucks’ unique voice is definitely one worth hearing.”

Still Your Friend

The Life Henri—Planetarium

After winning a Jenny Award for Solo Performance last year for The Truth™! Still Your Friend is BACK with a personal favourite, The Life Henri: An improbable story of following your own delusions until you make them reality.

“Adam has a gift for words and weaving thought provoking tales”. – (The Jenny)

“Bailey draws from popular culture and his sheer presence to deliver a performance both comedic and tragically relatable.” – 5 stars(Vue Weekly)

“Brilliant” – OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY 4 stars (NOW Magazine)