From Fringe 2024

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

From Fringe 2024

Last Day At Whoopee Kingdom

MTYP’s Summer Studio—MTYP – Mainstage

Were I tasked with finding a script for a group of teenagers learning to act, this would be a strong contender. It has a part for everyone, no matter how small. Through this there is an attempt at a plot involving skyrocketing tuition prices and the fragile job market, but the show rarely feels as though it’s building to anything. The performers, however, do a fine job with what they’re given, and despite occasionally struggling to be heard, there are real stand-outs here that bring the show mostly together. It’s just a shame their endless supply of high school theatre camp couldn’t save the writing.

Arden Pruden