The Buzz – Reviews

Making It!

Megan Phillips—Dave Barber Cinematheque

This piece was perfect for first show of my day. Meagan has an infectious energy and charisma, and this is a story of her journey as a performer and an artist. She’s written about a dozen original songs, some insightful, some silly and all very funny. Her performance feels like you’re having some beautiful heartfelt shared moments with a good friend, and she is so much fun to watch. I found the content so relatable and hilarious, wholesome but also saucy. It will leave you with a smile, and a validating reminder that we do our best and we all have our own definition of what making it looks like. Also, bring a tea cup. She might have a treat for you.

Calantha Jensen

F*ck Marry Kill: The Improv Show

FMK Productions—The King’s Head Pub

I did not know Fuck Marry Kill was a game, not until the start of the performance. I guess I’m in the minority; when the cast asked who in the audience doesn’t know the game, mine was one of the few hands that went up.

I’m a veteran cruiser. I have almost enough cruise kilometres to get to the moon. Thus, you can believe it when I tell you what I know cruise ship games are like. I had the eerie feeling that this was going to be a hokey cruise game when it started. Don’t getme wrong: cruise games are fun, but on the ships, you also get unlimited, free alcoholic beverages to amp up your spirits.

Thankfully, once the “cards were dealt,” the performance turned back to being a show,rather than a game show. There are plenty of improv-type gags that go with the development, and some good ha-has throughout. I didn’t really get the “game” part of it,even with the “reveal” at the end. It would have been equally fun just to see the improv without the game and just made into a murder mystery.

Ray Yuen

Chase Padgett: Grab Bag Cabaret

Chase Padgett—PTE – Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage

Chase Padgett is another familiar figure to most Fringegoers at this point – he says this is his tenth time here. Most will know what to expect – multiple characters (despite his claim at the beginning to be eschewing that this year), brilliantly and hilariously brought to life, interspersed with equally brilliant guitar playing. This time is a little different, though; he’s using a deck of cards to determine which of numerous pieces to perform, and almost as importantly, in what order. Not all of them fit his usual mold – some, for example, more closely resemble standup comedy – and you might see a completely different show than I did. My personal favourite piece I saw was “Song Request Rant”, a half-standup, half-improv bit about what the songs people request from performers like him say about them personality, including suggestions from the audience. A close second is how he got CRABS! (it doesn’t mean what you think).

Jeff Heikkinen

Bangs, Bobs & Banter: Confessions of a Hairstylist

Gravity Theatre—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

The last time I had a professional work on my hair, Trudeau was the Prime Minister ofCanada—Pierre Trudeau! Needless to say, I never thought much about the daily routine of a hairstylist.

Not only does Joanna Rannelli give us some amusing (and some banal, intentionally) tales in the course of “the job,” she also gives insight into what it’s like to have a profession where you are literally glued to listen to whatever ramble the client delivers.

The tales could have been told through any medium: bartender, customer service rep,social worker, HR adviser, nurse, etc., but she chose hairstylist. That made me reflect both on the stories and the job of hairstylist itself—and I’m so happy I do not have a job where I’m locked into listening customers.

Ray Yuen

The Dirty Bucket Comedy Show

No Cheat Codes Productions—Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame

Take your classic stand up Fringe show with a rotating cast of local and travelling comedians, and shake it up with a bucket full of the audiences best to worst ideas. The comedians themselves were good, in my showing, but that like always is a bit of a crapshoot with these sorts of things, due to the daily swap over. The twist on the formula in the form of the bucket was, itself, a bit of a mixed bag (or bucket, I suppose.) Some of the prompts were solid, and allowed the comedians to mix up their set and keep things fresh and spontaneous. Other prompts were really unfortunately repetitive, with multiple fairly milquetoast sex prompts coming in one after another. Still, the pre-prepared stand-up was good, and the prompts themselves are different each night, so this likely isn’t a consistent issue.

Josh Fidelak

Funny Answers to Your Sex Questions

Collins Entertainment—Planetarium

An ambitious title for sure, this piece seemed to tickle the fancy of the vanilla audience. I however, as someone under the rainbow umbrella was not keen on this “British Sex Expert”. An oxymoron the performer acknowledges.

Muddled with Mensa references and computer glitches galore, these were only to reveal a graphic with only slight comedic payoff. From a sex positivity standpoint, this series of “questions from the audience” was exclusively straight and the sexualization of bisexuality was a wet blanket for this reviewer.

If you are truly seeking answers to your intimate inquiries, I highly recommend Smut Slam that happens periodically in Winnipeg all throughout the year. At least there the funniest stories/questions the prize is from Love Nest and not a personalized mug.

If you find Passion Parties to be taboo, this might be the show for you.

Stephanie Adamov

Mornings at Miss Mabel’s

sherri elle theatre—Creative Manitoba

Back and forth between the nursery school she teaches at today and the nursery school in her past that animates her desire to teach and provide for kids in the present. Some of the delivery could do with more polish, and being placed within the position of kids acting out in her class, being addressed and told off for their imagined misdeeds was a bit uncomfortable. Ultimately, if the idea of seeing more into the world of nursery school education interests you, this is a great example of what sorts of things go on and the pedagogy/language that are employed.

Josh Fidelak

A Side of Rice

Chromedome Productions—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)

I wish I could convey how absolutely adorable Nik Rice is. He’s warm, clever, a poet and a superb actor. He’s has 49 years of experience! I m so glad I made time to take this diamond in. He does exactly what he promises in the program. We all laughed heartily: and I had to catch a tear at times as he shares the high and sometimes very low points in his long life. He actually took the time to memorize all the names of the audience and bid us goodbye by name!

Lisa Campbell

You’re Driving Me Crazy

Glass Confetti Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

As an only child, I was absolutely certain that I would not relate to this, and I was right. Regardless, it was a solid way to spend an evening. A pair of sisters on their way to a wedding, (who classically couldn’t be more different) reveal piecemeal to us their family, lives, and the identity of the bride and why they hate her so much. The performers showcase a multitude of skills, from singing to fight choreography, but struggled to fill the space. Often I had to strain to hear them, and a brief humming interlude towards the end was completely lost of me. A cute piece about connections, the bonds of sisterhood, and opening up.

Arden Pruden

Colin Mochrie Live at the Winnipeg Fringe

SMR Performance Society—PTE – Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage

If the show is already sold out, does the review even make a difference? Truly a delight to be in the presence of this comedic monolith, Mochrie performs beside Kevin Gillese as well as an invited local improvisor. While some folks in the crowd were expecting a solo show, it was clear that many were first time Fringers coming to see this Canadian legend. By playing a series of long and short form improve games, these comics had the completely full theatre roaring with laughter. My cheeks were sore as the trio with piano accompaniment navigated through each game.

You might not be able to see the show, but keep your eyes peeled around and about the festival and snag a selfie with this shining star at the Winnipeg Fringe.

Stephanie Adamov