I AM YOUR GURU

project pigeon—Planetarium Auditorium

I have to wonder how many new age health seminars Alex Ateah has gone to or watched in preparation for this show. She hit every mark of one, but in a wonderfully satirical way played completely deadpan, but so earnestly that at least at the beginning, I felt almost poorly for laughing. Cashing in really hard on the idea that health gurus are just trying to sell books is always a good direction to go, and she so seamlessly transitions from joke to joke that I was sorry to see it end 15 minutes earlier than the anticipated 45. What was a shame was that her co-star seemed more of a tool for more jokes, rather than a character, and her performance too was extremely well done. I would have liked to see her do more, perhaps pad out the runtime, but nevertheless I can’t feel as though my time was wasted.

Arden Pruden

jem rolls: I, IDIOT

big word performance poetry—Dragon Arts Collective

Jem Rolls is one of the most recognised names in Fringe and his shows are equally legendary. This year, his I, IDIOT show purports to prove that he’s an idiot, and more than that, we’re all idiots and that the world is comprised of only idiots. I’m sure he had most of the audience convinced by the time he ended the show.

Known for his raucous, boisterous and bombastic delivery, it’s a shame you don’t get much of a chance to look beyond that. During the hour, Rolls probably pounds out 3000 words—way too much for introspection. That’s a great shame. The content of his words are as deep and dense as a university lecture and I would love to feature his script as a unit of discussion. Each topic of discourse contains multiple prongs of discovery and taking the time to delve into each would enlighten us all has human beings.

IDIOT? Hardly—this is probably the most intelligent treatise at Fringe.

Ray Yuen

The Last 48

ArtLaunch Theatre Company—The Rachel Browne Theatre

The performers managed to maintain their over the top characters while also holding true to the ever shifting tone of the script, which did nothing but enhance the overall performance. Every actor had a strong idea of not only who they were, but what they had to loose in this 48 battle for their livelihoods. It’s unfortunate then that I thought there was what seemed to me a major plot hole. Without going into spoilers, what was the reason exactly for that congregation of people? This was an idea that was explored, but never answered, and while overall the show was hysterically funny and well performed, that left me confused. What purpose did leaving this question unanswered serve?

Regardless, as the sell out of this production would indicate, this is not one to miss.

Arden Pruden

Thunder Blunder

I Think I’m Dead—Red River College – Roblin Centre

Hi Winnipeg! Last year, a tiny man was living inside Al’s beard. This year, Al Lafrance brings you a tale of insomnia-driven delusions and travels in his breakneck storytelling onslaught titled “I Think I’m Dead”. You’ll definitely laugh, you’ll possibly cry, and at very least, you’ll have something to talk about when you leave this show. See you there!

GoodSide Productions

Old-ish—Red River College – Roblin Centre

Old-ish, my 5th one woman comedy, really is about aging and death. When I say it’s WAY funnier – I realize it doesn’t have to be That funny to achieve the goal! Anyway – people are laughing and seem to be having a great time at it. My previous four shows got terrific reviews across Canada and the Winnipeg Free Press says about Old-ish: “Freedman sparkles… instantly likeable…engaging storyteller. You don’t need to be oldish to appreciate Old-ish”.

Free Beer and the Pilsner of Azkaban

The Horrible Friends—Duke of Kent Legion

For my first improv show this year, I chose a duo that I had never seen before. Lucky for me they had a quest performer as well which added even more fun to the event. I am a huge improv fan, completely obsessed with Who’s Line is it Anyway, various Drew Carey spinoff shows like Improvaganza at the MGM Grand (check out YouTube!)

The cast of three dove right into a variety of scenes and games, pulling plenty of audience suggestions and were very quick on their feet to weave it all into hilarious scenarios. A fast paced hour flew by with interrogations, baseball bats, questions, crackers, gynecology, 2 minutes (or less) reenactments of other Fringe shows based on guesses, and a large variety of other shenanigans.

This cast works extremely well together to keep the audience involved and keep the laughs going as much as they possibly can. A sign of a great improviser is their ability to take a small bit of an idea and make it into something huge and ideally hilarious. They all did a brilliant job. Who knows what will happen at the next performance!

Calantha Jensen

Irena Sendler: Rescuing the Rescuer

Windsor Road Productions—Son of Warehouse

A winning , true story. An accomplished, charming actress. A sell-out.

Libby Skyla of Brooklyn brings us a story that we should have all heard. We all know of Oskar Schlindler of ‘Schindler’s List’ yet Irena rescued more than twice the souls and nobody knows about her. Libby rectifies this wrong in a perfect, stunning performance that shows the best that theatre can be. And the buzz is reflecting this. The only small criticism is the dramatic pauses were way over done putting this piece past its stated running time.

A note: if you have health concerns be aware of the sweatbox this Venue is. Bring your cooling devices, spray bottles and ice packs if you are sensitive to heat, so you can enjoy the performance. Personally, I feel this Venue should be retired.

Lisa Campbell

Blue River Blues

Jim Sands Presents—The Cinematheque

Ironically (or coincidentally) this was the second of two shows I had seen the same day about an experience out west. Jim Sands transports us back to the 70s, where he proceeds to regale us with the exciting life of a snowmobile driver on the glaciers in BC.

Sands is descriptive, engaging and wove his words to paint such a picture in our minds that it could have felt that we were there as well. He strums his guitar as he sings about life in the mountains, the danger of nature, and how sometimes opportunities for greatness are in the least likely spot.

British Columbia is a very difficult place to describe; the beauty of nature is nearly beyond words and traveling to and chasing down dreams in places like this is where it’s at! Sands’ experiences are entertaining, heart warming, very funny and unexpected. It truly is a feel good play. Make sure to check it out and get your handshake from the charming man himself on your way onto new exciting places.

Calantha Jensen

Big Shot

Surreal SoReal Theatre—Planetarium Auditorium

This is a remount from 2011, and as such, is well rehearsed and seamlessly and thoughtfully presented by Montreal’s Jon Lachlan Stewart. The characters are well defined, varied and each have an important part to play in the weaving of this tragic tale. If you are up for an intriguing, thoughtful, superbly performed piece of theatre, take this in.

This runs 75 minutes, though you wouldn’t know it, as Jon keeps you well entertained from start to finish. He’s not selling out yet, and this Venue is large, so may I suggest if you want to see something good that you and your friends actually have a chance of getting tickets for, this is it.

Lisa Campbell

Banana Man

Snowflake Productions—Pantages Studio

This three-hander features Buster Keaton and Samuel Beckett enjoying a meal while discussing an upcoming project. Throughout the night their Waitress tries again and again to figure out who her customers are. The play was well acted. The comedic timing was undeniable from both the Waitress and Buster Keaton. They both got some solid chuckles out of a 11pm crowd. While the straight man (Samuel Beckett) was quite reserved, the actor did a good job playing his part with some thoughtful and committed lines. The three had great connections with each other and they were completely in the zone the whole show. This created some beautiful moments, especially between the Waitress and Buster Keaton at the end. There was very little movement in the piece which made the quiet moments feel a little too long. There were also quite a few long stretches of silence peppered throughout that made the play drag. I also found it was rather uncomfortable watching the young waitress be hit on by the much older Keaton. Interesting concept that fell a little flat. If you have the time and money its a decent filler show.

Kaitlyn Kriss