PICASSO lovers & muses
Bolero Dance Theatre—Tom Hendry Warehouse
The intro music while waiting for the show to start sets the mood for a bit of history about the Spanish painter and six of his lovers/wives/muses. The show includes 12 dance routines accompanied by a live vocalist, accordion, and guitar player. The dancing is mostly Flamenco or Classical Spanish, with a couple Bolero style as well. The complicated rhythmic routines are accentuated by tap with some numbers using castanets or clapping to really add to the percussive beat.
There are a number of dances with the whole cast, as well as solo performances by each of the muses and Picasso. The many costumes are incredible, and often are used as part of the dance.
They tell some of the story of each of the women between the dancing, and don’t sugar-coat the troubling parts of the relationships and tragic ends of a few of the muses. I definitely recommend getting a program as it gives a little more background on each of the women and provides a list of the dances and music.
I was amazed at how much they packed into a one hour show, and the standing ovation they got was well deserved. It would be hard to leave the show without a smile on your face.
Murray Hunter
Martin Dockery: TRUTH
Concrete Drops Theatre—Tom Hendry Warehouse
An absolute fever dream of a show, the fantastic comedic timing and storytelling prowess of Martin Dockery applied to a straightforward story format that rapidly disintegrates into chaos. Due to being both scatological and pornographic (though always at a comedic distance) paired with an American-centric political core, this is definitely a show targeted at an older audience, but an audience who will in all likelihood enjoy it.
For myself, while I question a bit of the political relevance of attempting to reinforce the anti Trump sentiments of a Winnipegian population already largely in agreement and unable to participate in the relevant upcoming election, I don’t believe this to take away from the show experience itself. For any fans of Dockery’s free wheeling storytelling comedy, a must see as always, and as always make sure you get there early, or buy tickets in advance.
Josh Fidelak
July 17, 2024
We have hit the opening day of the 2024 Winnipeg Fringe! We will be updating the website tonight with our first reviews and some other news about what is new at the Fringe. The online program guide is already up over at WinnipegFringe.com so you can start planning your Fringe experience. We also have our own online program guide here.
In Memorium—Earlier this year we learned of the passing of two of the Jenny’s founders, Coral McKendrick and Stephen Eric McIntyre. Coral was the long-time Editor of the Jenny and was often seen in her straw hat at a table in or outside of the King’s Head Pub collecting and collating reviews and composing her Editorial columns. Steve was a huge force in the Winnipeg Theatre scene, and in addition to co-founding the Jenny Revue also started the city’s Improv scene. Additionally, last year we also lost Erik de Waal very suddenly not long after the Winnipeg Fringe. He was a great friend to the Jenny and his storytelling performances and kid’s shows were legendary. We will miss them all and offer condolences to their families and friends.
What is Going on Here?—You really have to ask? OK, here we go, The Jenny Revue is an independent place for everyone to share their Winnipeg Fringe experience. While the Jenny will mostly be an E-Jenny, we do plan on releasing a number of “Best of the Jenny” print issues. That means we are not constrained to the limited space of the print version and we will also be able to have the reviews/ssps/letters on the site in a more timely fashion. Once the Fringe is up and running, while we do have an excellent little herd of Jenny Staff that help fill our web pages with reviews, we want to hear from you. You can contact us via email at jennyrevue@gmail.com. Please follow us on X/Twitter @jennyrevue, Instagram jennyrevue, and/or Facebook for updates on when the site is updated and other Fringe news.
Are you performing in a Fringe Show?— Welcome to our lovely festival. Please send us your Shameless Self Promotions (see below for an explanation) before the Fringe to try and convince the Fringe-going public to see your shows.
FAQ—The key parts of the Jenny are the following:
- Reviews—We do a few things differently at the Jenny, one of the biggest differences is we do not use a star or number rating system. Yes that means you actually have to read a review to see what the person reviewing the show thought about it. We have always done it this way, and think that it is a better way to do things. We accept reviews from anyone, with only one condition: You must provide your real name, and some form of contact info (so you can be reached in case we need clarification). Not all the reviews we receive may get published but in general as long as the review was well written it will be published on the website.
- Shameless Self-Promotion—If you are in a Fringe play and haven’t shamelessly promoted your show, put together 80 words (or less)—different from your program blurb—and send them to us. Clearly mark them as SSPs since it’s difficult to tell the difference between an unqualified rave by a satisfied patron, and a bombastic bit of self-promotion by a company scribe.
- Letters—Got an opinion on something at the Fringe? It is always better to get it off your chest. Send us your thoughts with your name and contact info and if it catches our eye we’ll spread the word.
- News—We are always looking for interesting or wacky things that have happened during the Fringe. If you have a tale to tell, let us know.
Last, but certainly not least are the Jenny Awards. This is our end of Festival party that will be held Sunday July 28th. The Jenny’s will be back for our third year at Across the Board Game Cafe a fully accessible licensed venue at 211 Bannatyne Avenue.
See you at the Fringe!
Murray Hunter
Correction—In my original version of this article in the “In Memorium” section I had misremembered that Steve was in a performance of the Raven. While Steve was in a lot of shows, apparently that was not one of them. It was from 2002 and was actually performed by George Falconer. Thanks to Kevin Campbell for the correction.
Still Your Friend
All Hail Mrs. Satan—Creative Manitoba
Why would a woman be dubbed Mrs. Satan by the press? For making a fortune? Running for President?
Adam Bailey (The Life Henri, Franz Ferdinand Must Die) turns their particular and peculiar lens for history onto the life of Victoria Woodhull who (never heard of her?) was deliberately erased from the records after running for president in 1872.
Bailey’s award-winning takes on true stories have been called funny, thoughtful, user friendly, and a total delight.
But Mrs. Satan? Damn Good!
ImproVision
ImproVision: Nicolas Cage Match—Duke of Kent Legion
An Apology:
Sorry, ImproVision won’t Face/Off against Nicolas Cage in the Fringe. We made that up.
This, according to our lawyers, is a good time to say: as improvisers, we make stuff up. So instead of grappling with the Oscar-winning star of Willy’s Wonderland, we’ll wrestle with Nic Cage-inspired short-form improv using suggestions, super soakers, puppets and phones.
So, no Nicolas Cage. Probably. The Cagey One has done weirder gigs than the Fringe, so…?
Sincerest apologies,
ImproVision
Tea Party Productions
What is the Problem.—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall
‘What is the Problem.’ is an anxiety-ridden mess of an evening, especially according to Alice, who is trying desperately to make it go perfectly. After all, couldn’t everything truly fall apart if her best friend and girlfriend don’t hit it off when they meet for the first time?
Through the wreckage of gut-wrenching voices and comedic relief, comes a story of three young people and the vulnerable truths they didn’t know they needed to learn.
Gravity Theatre
Bangs, Bobs & Banter: Confessions of a Hairstylist—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)
Joanna returns with a new one-woman comedy show, where she plays a hairstylist named Nikki and 9 of her colourful clientele, inspired by true events.
Audience member, J Bueneman said “It was reminiscent of Steel Magnolias, but less depressing and with more characters to love.”
“Critics’ Choice Award Best Solo Show- Comedy”- Orlando Fringe Festival 2024
“Impressively polished…Rannelli is a winning performer”- Seth Kubersky, Orlando Weekly
“A whiz with instant characterizations…this is just a mighty fine time down at the beauty parlour”- Matt Palm, Orlando Sentinel 2024
“Relatable, Real and Radiant”- Bubba Trahan, Watermark Orlando 2024
If Only a Dream Productions
Letters from a Space Girl in Love—The Asper Centre for Theatre & Film (U of W)
Do you like space? Stars? The unexplored cosmos?
Have you been in love? Fallen out of love? Tried to change for someone?
Have you been told that you are too much? Tried to be perfect? Worried?
If you answer yes to any of the above, then Letters from a Space Girl in Love might just be the made for you Fringe show you\’ve been looking for.
Come explore the (heavily interpreted) cosmos and follow Space Girl as she tries to figure it all out.
Living the Dream
A One Human Being, Potentially Comedic Performance of The Nightmare Before Christmas—Son of Warehouse
In this one-person comedic musical parody, local drama teacher Alli Perlov explores her favourite iconic stop-motion film from 1993.
Playing every character from the Pumpkin King to Oogie Boogie, this show includes gags, witty commentary & fun audience participation.
In the style of her 2018/2023 Les Mis parody, Perlov hustles harder than ever to make you laugh, so come out and celebrate Christmas AND Halloween in July!
Gregoire Entertainment
Supernatural—CCFM – Antoine Gaborieau Hall
What if I told you…
The future is already written — and I can prove it…
From the magician who brought you ‘Mindreader’ last year (★★★★ “Highly entertaining” – Winnipeg Free Press), ‘Supernatural’ is a brand new 60 minute psychological magic show that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of crazy coincidences, impossible predictions, and interactive fun.
