OK, Probably

Sister From Another Mister Productions—Pantages Studio

Pensive and reflective, the sisters’ relationship undergoes strain through mental illness. A large part of the focus looks through the lens of the sister, and her ability to cope with the person suffering from depression. Seeing more than just the struggles of the afflicted illuminates the dynamics of mental illness and how it affects all those around.

This is one of the quietest plays I’ve seen in a long time—intentionally so to give time for the viewer to process. Unfortunately for me, I had my viewing schedule in my pocket and it crinkled every time I moved or crossed my leg. Yikes! I’m the distraction that I so often chastise! I highly recommend that you take anything out of your pockets that may make noise; among the silence, you will be heard!

Ray Yuen

The Daily Special

Unexpected Results Improv—Son of Warehouse

My favorite improv groups have always been ones where you can tell that the actors are having the time of their lives. I was lucky enough to witness just that at this show.

The concept is simple…. an audience member spins the wheel of fate and a show is completely improvised off the topic spun. I enjoyed a mafia dentist show that somehow also featured vampires.

Laughs were definitely abundant throughout. The guys definitely don’t take themselves too seriously this show and even laughed at or made fun of the plot holes they created. Mistakes were embraced by the others and incorporated very well back into their show. If things went wrong they just ran with it and somehow spun gold. Improv is meant to be silly and this show was just that. Fun and good humoured, definitely a lovely addition to the improv selections this year.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Two White Guys Solve All the World’s Problems

Quondam Dreams—Planetarium Auditorium

I chose this show because I had a feeling I might be in for a good laugh. Not to sound jaded, but I do think there are a certain amount of serious problems in the world that need addressing and thought that maybe these guys might have some insight. Who knows right? They might be onto something.

The story takes place at one man’s cabin in the woods (cottage at the lake? That sounds less sinister). His friend, going through a rough patch, arrives for some R&R. We quickly realize however that he is a very unrelaxed, very worked up and very misguided about the world and his place in it.

What follows is an interesting discussion between a man who has isolated himself, off the grid, in his cabin and is choosing to relax and enjoy life. He has chosen to remove himself from mainstream life and get away from the problems and make the most of his time here doing what he loves. The other, however, is angry, ignorant, and honestly a bit of a misogynistic dick. His divorce is his wife’s fault, he had no choice but to make seriously bad decisions, he’s a victim here, and issues in society are because of immigrants, or the LGBT community, or anyone he can point a finger of blame at with zero self reflection. Nothing is his fault and life is unfair and the world is a mess and he is SO angry (and wrong).

I felt, at least to my own hopes, that despite the claim to the contrary in the title, that nothing actually WAS solved by the end of the show. We see two friends who have very different views on the world argue, debate and ultimately disagree on major issues. Which is not uncommon. I spent most of the show cringing at the ignorant, insensitive and asinine opinions of the troubled man, uncomfortable with the knowledge that these twisted beliefs are not fabricated; its becoming clear that this violent ignorance is everywhere.

While I feel as thought the show ended suddenly and nothing was really solved, I think what I learnt is that yes, the world is a mess, but there is also a lot of good in it. The real place to start solving problems is being able to reflect on our own actions and how we ourselves can make changes for the better. The show is funny, relatable, and informative I suppose. Even though I share NONE of the opinions of our troubled divorcee.

Calantha Jensen

I’m Not Taylor Swift

Daisy Fay Productions—The Cinematheque

I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this show. I’m a Taylor Swift fan (yes, hard to believe a 50ish year old man belting out Shake it Off at karaoke!) and I wondered what kind of Taylor Swift comedy Anjali Sandhu would deliver. The answer is next to none. Now if she really spent $1500 on a Swift-esque outfit, why? Especially when it has nothing to do with your act!

Just because it has nothing to do with Swift doesn’t mean it’s bad. Quite the opposite—she’s very good. She’s funny, witty and fast on her feet. Since we’re already halfway through The Fringe and the theatre is loaded with Sandhu’s family members, I wonder if they’re plants, or if the family support is so high they come en masse to every show? Regardless, it’s a good time and great for laughs.

She leaves you wanting more—literally, because the show’s only a half-hour long and when it ends, you sit thinking that it barely began. I suspect she has no shortage of material; why would she not extend the show to run a full hour? Murmurs rang through the exit ramp with patrons commenting about the brevity of the show.

Ray Yuen

I Think I’m Dead

Thunder Blunder—Red River College – Roblin Centre

Al suffers from insomnia. He has for years and this show is all about his journey to cope with it. This show starts out with such high intensity the likes of which I have never seen. Al spoke very fast to start but because he was such a gifted story teller I was hooked on every word.

His story was engaging and hilarious. This sets the audience well to handle the quieter more emotional points of his story. The ending will bring you to tears. I was so moved and identified with this show so much. It was a beautiful piece about emotions, anxiety, depression and realizing you can’t do it yourself. This is a can’t miss show. It will make you feel everything and give you hope that someone else has felt and gone through the same things you have. Thank you Al for sharing your journey. I would see this man talk about cheese for 10 hours he is that good. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Balls of Yarns

Paul Strickland Presents—The Rachel Browne Theatre

This man has it all! I will see anything he does as I know it will be imaginative, intelligent and interesting. I have seen everything he brought to this Fringe and was never disappointed. The man multitasks with wordplay, story telling, guitar and vocals. He hits the mark on all counts. He pretends just to be an ‘aw shucks’ down-home boy; but his sophistication belies his down-home humour. He keeps the audience roaring from start to finish. Kudos for the best program this year!

Lisa Campbell

True Blue

Cagey Productions—Onstage at Pantages

Three buddies have yet to miss a Grey Cup and spend thirty years attending, talking about, and causing mischief at every play off game. This show was 100% not for me. I’m not a big football person and I don’t care about the history of the Bombers for the past 30 years. I certainly did not need to spend an hour of my life watching it be poorly told to me by three middle aged white dude bros. The script was poorly written and focused on little besides the stats. I got none of the jokes as a non football fan and I was bored 5 minutes in. Not only was it boring, it was beyond amateur. They had scripts on the table and I stopped counting after their 14th set change, many of which included them forgetting what their places were. When your funniest ‘jokes’ are poking fun at arts degrees, calling a football player the wrong name and sleeping with’hot babes’, it might be time to expand your subject matter. Don’t waste your time or money on this show.

Kaitlyn Kriss

A one-human being, potentially comedic performance of LES MISERABLES

Living the Dream—Pantages Studio

Bad acting + bad singing = spectacular show – correct?

In this case, yes and absolutely. The traits not listed above are charisma and wit, both of which ooze out of the performer. Actor Alli Perlov, a full time drama teacher by profession, readily admits that her rendition of Les Mis is a butchering of the theatrical productions—and by all accounts, that’s true. However, her delivery style adds a dimension to this show that makes it more fun than the original can ever be.

Part musical, part narrative, part critique and all high-spirited, exuberant energy, Perlov charms the audience through gimmicks, gags and visuals. Laughs permeate throughout the show, with moments of honest side-splitting roars. This goes off as one of my Fringe favourites of all time.

Ray Yuen

Winnipeg Poetry Slam

SLAM! 2—Red River College – Roblin Centre

8 of Winnipeg’s best spoken word poets hit the stage for an audience-fueled competition! And this ain’t yer grandma’s poetry, folks. Slam is an underground movement that is rising up to engage audiences with socially relevant material and energy to inspire. Audience members get to participate as judges, and have the chance to write and share poetry of their own! Who will be crowned SLAM! 2 champ and win the cash prize?

Plush Material

Scandals of the Boy-Mind—PTE – Gendis Studio

From writer/director Ross McMillan comes SCANDALS OF THE BOY-MIND, a story about self-absorption, bad sex, and the importance of listening to your inner voice. SCANDALS OF THE BOY-MIND tells a tale full of laughs, love, and poorly-handled emotional trauma, presented with the help of never-before-seen projection technology developed exclusively for the show. Sweet and surreal, you’ve never seen anything quite like SCANDALS OF THE BOY-MIND.