Literally against all odds
By Alissa Watson
inspired I theatre - Winnipeg, MB
V.2 - MTC Up the Alley 
Welcome to the classroom: a nurturing space with higher teacher workloads and insufficient time for lesson planning; a supportive room full of opportunities for learning and stunted student behavioural development; magical place where work-life imbalance affects your ability to welcome, welcome, welcome.

A work in process by Alissa Watson, featuring Spenser Payne.

4 STARS It needs to be said: these two are very, very funny. – CBC (Review of The Polka Dots of Death: The Making of a Supervillain)

Cast:
Spenser Payne

Director:
Alissa Watson

Show Info:
45 minutes
Genre:
Play-Comedy

Audience:
Parental Guidance

Mild Language

Thu July 17 9:15 PM
Sat July 19 2:15 PM
Mon July 21 7:30 PM
Wed July 23 12:30 PM
Thu July 24 5:30 PM
Sat July 26 11:00 AM
Sun July 27 6:30 PM

Literally against all odds

inspired I theatre—MTC Up the Alley

Anyone who has worked with children will know that, while it can be some of the most rewarding work you will ever do, it can also be some of the most infuriating at times. Spencer perfectly portrays the educator who’s at the end of her rope, and when rhetorical questions are lobbied at “children” among the “class’, it’s very difficult not to answer in an attempt to ease her stress. The closing moments of the show are simultaneously a fantastic tribute to teachers who may never see just how much of an impact they’ve made and a rather terrifying image of a potential future. Fantastic show, if you don’t mind a slight feeling of existential dread as you leave.

Jordan Phillips


Literally against all odds

inspired I theatre—MTC Up the Alley

Mom come pick me up I’m scared, the teacher is losing it again.

Vivid and hilarious, the various vignettes making up the working life of our first grade teacher played by Spenser Payne and pulling from the teaching career of the writer/director Alissa Watson are as uncomfortable as they are humourous. From bad administration to terrible HR to disruptive students, the profession is shown warts and all. Ending on some timely commentary about teaching during COVID now going into the era of generative AI and at a tight 45 minutes, this is a great watch for our last week of Fringe.

Josh Fidelak