Se’ed

jurasco—The Cinematheque

This one man show by a 4th generation farmer, starts with some reflections on language and how it affects our perceptions as well as the magic of seeds. He then goes into some of the history of pesticides, insecticides, and other supposedly “safe” chemicals and how they were pushed by corporations in the 60’s to improve agriculture. Other topics include GMOs, gene modification using CRISPR, the influence of money on agriculture and society.

He is very passionate about all these topics and hopes to help people realize the dangers these issues pose to society and how we need to restore our connection with the Earth and respect nature.

Murray Hunter

Courtship

Snakeskin Jacket—John Hirsch Mainstage

Early twentieth century charm and well-to-do affect suffuses the deep personal relationships forming the bedrock of the show, with charming conversations to demonstrate them. The romantic aspirations of our lead are perfectly presented, and the contrasting stuffy, oppressive standards of her father and mother are equally well articulated. Well written and directed, with strong acting backing everything up, the only real question is if you’re looking for a period piece romantic semi-comedy.

Josh Fidelak

Chris Gibbs, Old is the New New

Kelly Finnegan Productions—The King’s Head Pub

Chris Gibbs returns to the stage for a fun visit showcasing his story based stand up act. While he based it on some of his old sets, he often wanders into an aside, and sometimes his asides have asides. No matter how off track he might seem, he always manages to find the funny side of things, and bring it all back to the story he was tellng.

He touched on his acting career, child birth and camping among many other subjects. It is just like a visit with a very funny old friend when you see one of his shows. Welcome back!

Murray Hunter

Ask Me Anything

Keep It Movin’ Productions—The Cinematheque

Part absurdist skit comedy, part unhinged sexual education lesson and part earnest call for social justice and political progressivism, this hour long storytelling performance has a strong heart with a perhaps confused intended audience. Touching lightly on all it’s constituent elements, for anyone lacking knowledge and context for the sexual education and political themes would likely be left in the dust, but for anyone already interested and informed it could serve as a good comedic exploration.

Josh Fidelak

Shadow Kingdom

The Wishes Mystical Puppet Company—Tom Hendry Warehouse

A lot of whimsical fun. I think that is the best way to describe Shadow Kingdom. Seri Yanai and Daniel Wishes are back with another great performance of their shadow puppet mastery. They always seem to create an amazing story that is entertaining and also visually spectacular.

This all ages show is fun for all.

Sorry Lizard Man (from Space Hippo) but my new favourite is DJ Slug.

Murray Hunter

CABARET SIDE SHOW

Wall Street Theatre—John Hirsch Mainstage

The show can ultimately be described as loosely connected song and dance numbers with many long time classics presented by a talented ensemble. With only a few hiccups, the show is well produced, and for anyone who would enjoy seeing “all that jazz” live and in person, this would be the perfect thing. As straightforward as anyone could hope for such a concept of a Cabaret song medley.

Josh Fidelak

Something in the Water

S.E. Grummett—MTC Up the Alley

Engaging, entertaining, essential and eminent.

Upon receiving the “souvenir” as I entered the theatre, I wondered what was going on. After all, this is Fringe where anything can happen. I went to shows where I ended up eating cake, drinking shooters, tasting ethnic food, and who knows what else. My immediate fear was that we’d all have to eat squid. I
hate squid. But wait! There must be vegans in the audience who would refuse to eat! I won’t be the only non-squid eater! On the other hand, I never want to be one of the people who don’t participate.
What’s going to happen?

The show started peacefully at the subject’s very origins, and soon took off with foot on the floor, zero to 100 in seconds. Before long, everyone fell into the societal expectation of normative polarisation. The high-energy takeoff resembles that of a rocket escaping the earth’s gravity, then after we broke free, calm and introspection set in. Turbulence and chaos speckled the remainder of the journey, until we finally landed, hopefully a little bit more aware, a little bit more engaged, and a lot more tolerant.

Although this run was fun from start to finish, it covered a lot of critical topics, sometimes seriously, often jestingly. While considering what to write here, I reran all of the issues that were brought forth and with no exaggeration, I could write an entire dissertation on what Grumms covered in this hour.

And I didn’t have to eat squid.

Ray Yuen

Josie & Grace

PKF Productions—PTE – Mainstage

Oh Josephine, oh Josephine, where art thou? Back in the Peg with another scintillating babe in tow. And we thank you! You heard it here first, Josephine will be a one off show on the 28, tix aren’t even printed.

This is what makes the Fringe so toe- tingling for me; when we are so very fortunate to get to experience theatre of this calibre for the cost of a burger. If this show doesn’t sell out, there’s something wrong with the Peg.

Ok, the show is, not Josephine, and that’s totally wonderful! I’m embarrassed to learn that Josephine Baker and Grace Kelly were actually friends! And the way this long relationship is portrayed, with the warmth, the struggles as circumstances change for them both, in different directions, in varying eras, is so real. I enjoyed this on two levels. The sheer feminine perfection in one place. And that would just be standing there. But add in the choreography, the Costumes, the talent, the perfect vocals, the charm, the warmth, and you would be a fool not to make this the one play you do treat yourself to this Fringe.

Tymisha Harris and Rachel Comeau are the epitome of 60’s style and beauty. I notice when an actor involves their whole body: feet, hands, face. Ms. Harris did a magnificent job of portraying Baker’s aging, (she was twenty years older than Kelly). You could see the falter in her gait, the tiredness, and the appropriate hair and clothing changes as she ages. That’s a professional.

Ok, the Costumes! I used to do this at MTC. I pay attention. The dresses were divine. Ms. Comeau has the perfect figure that best shows off those horrible, skin tight dresses of the 60’s whose line could be thrown off with an extra ounce. I have never seen anyone look so elegant as she did in the floral dress with the shortie sweater! OMG! Every scratchy, shiny, fake flouncy fabric of the era was displayed with elegance and aplomb by both beauties.

Ok, I’ve praised, now a few minor flaws. The voice over from Prince Rainier calls Baker a chantreuse. Is this a green singer? Chanteuse. Also, when Grace is dressed for the gala, she is peach perfection, from her apricot bouffant, to her slinky peach gown matching her golden complexion- then black shoes and a brown shawl? Princess Grace had ladies in waiting who would have said ”Perhaps not, Your Highness”. I certainly did. Cream or white shoes, and even no shawl would have made the effect stunning. There were numerous glorious costume changes, why this glaring mis-match?

This is the show I’m recommending to anyone I like.

Lisa Campbell

Movie Musicals

Move The S Productions—John Hirsch Mainstage

Oh gees, I wish I could have heard it. I missed half the gags because I couldn’t hear the words. Tip for the actors: face the audience when you sing, or even speak. You have good to great singing voices but you’re not opera singers. MTC Mainstage is a big theatre and your voices do not carry well, especially for those of us near the back.

It’s quite ironic since you laid out and often reiterated Rule #6: Project your voices!

I love to hammer Winnipeg, because frankly, I hate this city. Many people tell me to move—yeah, I’m working on it. When this troupe hammered this city with their excellent song, the crowd loved it; so did I. That was my favourite song of the show.

They delivered lots of catchy tunes, the kind that you expect from Broadway musicals (you know the sound). The costumes and props need some adjustment, but that’s what you expect from opening night. Actors: if you’re telling me to look at your buttholes, your buttholes should not move down to your knees!

To the tall guy in the third row from the back, just left of centre, who saw this show on Thursday, July 14
at 6:30 p.m.: when the announcement before the show starts says “turn your phones off,” they mean TURN YOUR GOD DAMN PHONE OFF! They do not mean silence it and look at it every 10 minutes. The glare from your phone is VERY annoying, especially for those sitting behind and beside you. If what’s on your phone is so entertaining, what are you doing here? Just get out and play with your phone—don’t ruin the experience for everyone else.

James & Jamesy: Right This Way

Alastair Knowles—PTE – Mainstage

This duo is well- beloved by Peg Fringers, as was evidenced by the very warm response to this new work; at a very late slot. They are known for their wildly popular, sellout ‘2 for Tea’. If you loved them in the past, you won’t want to miss this new show. And if you can avoid thinking “We come from France. .”, you are younger than me.

These two love and care about their work, and it shows. The pair’s outfits were so creative, and especially brilliant under fluorescent lighting. I’m not a clown fan, which I guess is my loss here. It being opening night of a new production, I feel this will only improve rapidly in the hands of these consummate pros. Grab a coupon for 20% off their Xmas productions of ‘O Christmas Tea’ while you are there.

Lisa Campbell