The Magician’s Apprentices

Comedy Illusions of Greg Wood—Calvary Temple

This magic show was AWESOME!! We are treated to a variety of magic tricks performed by a sister and brother duo and their magician master. I was captivated from the very beginning, as they move fast paced through a series of exciting tricks to get the show started. With fabulous costumes, plenty of audience participation, dad jokes, and very impressive performances! It is inspired, wondrous wholesome fun. I was fortunate enough to participate in one trick and honestly it was magic. I was astounded. The magician also included some history tidbits and lessons on kindness that definitely filled my bucket and brought a brilliant amount of laughter and joy to me for my first show of the week! Definitely check it out!

Calantha Jensen

The Horrible Friends: Free Beer: Last Call

The Horrible Friends—Duke of Kent Legion

The Horrible Friends were back for one last Fringe on their self declared ‘retirement tour’. If you’ve seen a Horrible Friends show it’s the same format but the games change every night. You can tell they’ve done this for a long time, but like a wine they’ve gotten better with age! I saw them about 5 years ago and found them much more polished and snappy now. You can tell they are trying to have as much fun as possible in their last hurrah. This show wasn’t ground breaking by any stretch of the imagination but I did laugh lots. A solid improv show for the frequent Fringer.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Opera Mouse

Melanie Gall Presents for Kids—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage

I saw Opera Mouse a few years ago and loved it. Seeing it again, I forgot most everything that happened but it reminded me of exactly why I loved it, and I love it even more now. The show is fun, exciting and a load of laughs for the kids. Even as an adult, I had a great time engaging with the plot.

Then there’s the music, which is timeless—literally, since we’re talking about Puccini and Bizet. The aria from Carmen is one of the most recognisable pieces ever written and Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro is instantly familiar (Puccini is my favourite opera composer). People are instantly absorbed hearing these pieces.

Now let’s talk about Gall’s voice. I’ve seen many of her shows through the years and I love her singing. To date, I still haven’t heard her sing more than an aria here and there. I would love to see (hear) her perform a complete opera. Madama Butterfly? Turandot? C’mon Melanie! Do it!

Ray Yuen

1 Stand-up Comedy Show, Please

Dana + Tim Productions—Exchange Events Centre

Do you want a stand-up comedy show? Would you, perhaps even want one (1)? Focusing on experiences from his life in Winnipeg and then Toronto, Standup Comedian Tim Gray weaves together jokes about Winnipeg’s unrepentant grime with his travails getting through covid without being driven completely insane. The crowd work was fairly brief, however his reference to someone in a previous show completely roasting him led to someone in my performance doing the same, probably the highlight of the show. If you’re looking for a stand-up show in a bar, you’ll be in for a great time.

Josh Fidelak

Midnight

Meraki Theatre Productions—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall

Earlier in the day (Tuesday), I heard someone say that every seating for this show is already, completely sold out. Someone suggested it was because of the music of Taylor Swift. I certainly hope not. Don’t
get me wrong: I like Swift and a lot of her music (including the country stuff), but I don’t want to see a dozen shows next year feature her music because she’s so big right now, and everything she touches (or doesn’t even touch) turns to gold. I could hardly believe it when I picked up my ticket (a full one hour before showtime) and there’s a lineup a dozen people deep waiting to get in already. This could very well be the most highly anticipated show I’ve ever seen.

The preshow “show” is nice to have as people wedge themselves into this tight, table-setting theatre. The actual show is sometimes hard to hear. There’s a considerable sized cast, some with strong voices, and some where I have a lot of trouble hearing them (and I’m sitting in the front third of the theatre). They should seriously consider micing up the players.

The show only runs an actual 40 minutes, and it could easily run a full hour. There certainly is no
shortage of repertoire of Swift songs from which to choose. I’m certain the segue for I Knew You Were Trouble came, yet the song never followed. I suspect they cut it last minute.

For a couple of the songs, the pitch seems a lot faster than it should be. Watching the singers, it feels like they’re speed-singing, the way you would if you’re running out of time. The conclusion seems a tad rushed, and it would be great to see a bit more denouement than a simple, one-line closing from “the prince.”

I love the alternate ending. It would have felt very wrong to see the traditional ending, suggesting the only way a woman can get out of a rough situation is by the grace of a man.

Did the show deliver on its lofty expectations? Not quite for me, but my expectations before the show were likely unachievable. I didn’t realise this company has a mandate of providing opportunity and development for youth. I felt this show had a high school production feel. At first, that was in the negative lens, but now knowing the raison d’etre of Meraki, I think the cast did a wonderful job. I am very happy for their success and wish them only the best fortunes.

Ray Yuen

FOR SCIENCE!

Small Matters Productions—Tom Hendry Warehouse

This show is Incredible! The concept is unique and I can guarantee that you’ve never seen anything like it. Without a word, the trying- to-be professional lab professor and her eager lapdog/slave of a lab assistant present a delightful hour of fun and foolery under the pretense of demonstrating silly supposedly scientific theories. These experiments are so inventive and hysterical, I was on the edge of my seat to witness what they would dream up next.

The show will be different each time, as the experiments are run purely by eager volunteers from the audience, some who really bask in the spotlight. The thought, polish and incredibly inventive props that lead to a genius and unexpected finale performed by the unwitting volunteers will have you remembering this show for the rest of your life. A perfect Fringe show and in my top two this year.

Plenty of room in this Huge venue. Treat yourself!

Lisa Campbell

Drag Me to the Opera

Aida Cupcake Presents—MTC Up the Alley

Aida cupcake is here to prove that the flamboyance of drag and the flamboyance of opera are a match made in heaven. Aida takes us through her journey of pursuing a professional career in opera. The show featured famous arias transcribed into English so you could follow along. These songs accented the beats of her story that helped connect you more to the operatic piece and her story. It’s ironic I’m reviewing this show because the whole point of her show was to not care about the course others try to put us on. It was a beautiful story about loving yourself and the gifts you bring to the world however they may look or sound. A wonderful show with some technical and beautiful singing. A wonderful Fringe gem.

Kaitlyn Kriss

Drawing Board Productions

(in)decision—MTC Up the Alley

From the creators of “Bedwetter,” Tamlynn Bryson is back in another award-winning solo show.

About 1.2 seconds ago, Tess’s boyfriend proposed. Unsure what to say, she immediately calls an emergency meeting in her head. The show encapsulates the frantic and hilarious ten seconds inside her brain while she decides whether to say yes or no.

Only THREE MORE CHANCES to see this smash fringe hit!

“FIVE STARS – A gem of a performer in a gem of a show” -Winnipeg Free Press

Saplings

One Trunk Theatre—The Forks Market – Room 201

This was a very sweet show in which we are all welcomed into the fold as forest rangers and embark as a group on a journey through the forest. It is a lovely set design for the space, and creative interactive experience. We were encouraged to use our imaginations as we explored that forest, and we learned important lessons about the forests and protecting them. I think it was a beautiful engaging way to install a sense of care in the little ones about preserving and caring about our forests. A great one for the kids and a good reminder for the grownups.

Calantha Jensen

Stroke of Luck

Gravity still works—Théâtre Cercle Molière

Vincent champagne defied all odds by regaining mobility in record time through the art of circus. This 45 minute show featured Champagne recounting his experiences pre, during, and post stroke in this tale of overcoming adversity. Champagne reminds me of my favourite uncle telling stories around the table with my dad. It felt like going for drinks with a friend you hadn’t seen in a long time. He also threw in some skillful juggling for good measure. An interesting story to hear.

Kaitlyn Kriss