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The Jenny Revue is a publication of The Jenny Revue Inc., a not-for-profit corporation, funded solely by advertising and donations. It is not affiliated with The Winnipeg Fringe Festival, MTC, or any other organization. Privacy Policy The Jenny Revue is published on Treaty 1 territory, the lands and traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the Homeland of the Red River Métis. |
Fakespeare
American Vaudeville Co.—Red River College Polytechnic
This show was a whirlwind in the best way. Welcome to a wildly condensed version of Shakespeare, of which I saw Hamlet. Fit within a half hour time slot, Hercamp is an expert in Shakespeare, brilliant at bringing this tragic story to life in a way that is both extremely entertaining and very understandable. Using our modern day slang and vernacular, an outrageous story of death and betrayal is transformed into a comedy, and gets the audience involved in an energetic way. It is extremely fun, make sure you check this one out!
Calantha Jensen
Seasons of Life
Flamenco on the Prairies —Tom Hendry Warehouse
It’s hot outside, but what else is new? That’s part of Fringe. Does anyone else find it hot inside as well? At venues that are supposed to be climate-controlled? Colin Jackson and Cercle Molière: why are they dank and humid? And for this show as well, it’s oddly warm and humid in Warehouse mainstage!
But it fits though!
I was in Spain not-so-long-ago and its atmosphere is known for searing summer heat,thick with humidity—and that’s where I last saw a Spanish band. It brings back fond memories to see this quartet playing Spanish folk music within the moist air of Warehouse. Several times, I closed my eyes and let myself believe that I was actually back in Spain, sipping on a cold sangria. Then I realised that I was missing the verve,elan and passion of these musicians, so I returned to my open-eyed, leaning-forward in my chair position.
When the singer hit the mic, it reminded me of being in Portugal for the fado performances. How can you not melt into your seat to the genuine, warm and artful sounds of her voice?
Then there’s the highlight of the show: the flamenco dancing. Visual, energetic and powerful—I simply could not get enough of it. It is such a feast for the eyes (and the ears), that I was completely immersed. Being so enrapt, I completely forgot that there was a plot unfolding with the dance. I think I just enjoyed it too much and missed the meaning. Perhaps I need to see it again.
The show is simply transcendent. I could not believe there were only ~20 butts in the seats. Get out there and see this spectacle!
Ray Yuen
1,000 Pieces of π
Broken Rhythms Victoria Society—John Hirsch Mainstage
After loving all the dance shows that I saw last year, I was keen on seeing what the festival had to offer this year.
This show was a ton of fun! A truly neat concept of blending contemporary dance with math. Introduced to us as an experiment, tool, and a challenge, this show is a powerful demonstration of beautiful physicality, and the creativity of movement within seemingly strict parameters. The dancers were amazing, creating beautiful shapes, moments of perfect unison and captivating cannons. This show is comedic and endearing, and tells a story about moving through the challenges of imagining and exploring a concept to do something completely different and to see what it creates.
Calantha Jensen
Absolute Magic with Keith Brown
Keith Brown—PTE – Cherry Karpyshin Mainstage
Award-winning family-friendly magic and storytelling from Fringe veteran Keith Brown.
Join Keith for extraordinary feats of mind-reading and wizardry at PTE main stage.
See it to believe it, it’s Absolute Magic!
July 22nd-
We are climbing up the mountain of Fringe shows to review and are at the apex and on the way down with over 75 shows reviewed. [Editors Note: We are now over 100 shows covered] As always, if you have seen a show we haven’t covered, please send us a review. If you think we missed the mark on a review, please send us your review. Reviews are just one person’s opinion on one showing of a live theatre production, where anything can happen. For more on that and with a fresh perspective, I turn the Editorial over to Ray Yuen, our Review Coordinator.
-Murray Hunter
I’ve been reviewing for many years and I truly enjoy doing this. I consider myself one of the more “relaxed” and “forgiving” reviewers and I, as a norm, would not give a bad review unless a show genuinely deserves it. I think the last bad review I gave was years ago for a 90 minute outing of watching a person dance to electro-metal, with an occasional break to tell the audience to “find Jesus.” That was it. I would have been utterly dishonest and negligent in my duty to the reader if I gave any impression at all anyone would get their money’s worth from that debacle. Otherwise, I try to be constructively critical if there are problems, but generally, I look for the good.
I know that the majority of the performers put their sanity, souls and sweat into their productions, and sometimes, they just do not turn out the way they hoped. Life happens and there’s nothing you can do about that.
This year (first time ever!), having my own show (check out the Shameless Self-promotions!), I have a first-person understanding of what actors/singers/dancers/artists go through to put together their performances. It involves hundreds (even thousands) of hours of effort, toil and dedication to come up with something that will hopefully entertain someone for an hour (give or take). While the journey can often be rewarding, it can also end in heartache.
Seeing things from your side of the stage, I have a sparkling new respect for all that you do. Huge kudos for all of our Fringe performers out there, and I really look forward to seeing the fruits of your hard work, and reporting it to the public!
Performers! Break legs!
Public! Go see shows!
-Ray Yuen
Jenny Review Coordinator
COMMANDO: The Radio Play
project pigeon—The Park Theatre
Having seen this show once before during a non-Fringe one, I do have to say that it absolutely holds up, with modern iteration and revisions to keep things fresh. A cast of 3 voice actors, Sam McLean, Cathey Herbert and Will O’Donnell vocally (and, in a smaller way, physically) act out the different characters of everyone’s favourite insane action film Commando. Will’s Schwarzenegger is always fantastic, with Sam and Cathey filling out the rest of the cast and taking on a multitude of different voices. The highlight, however, is as always Abby Falvo, doing the Foley work (sound effects) for the show right on stage, hatchetting melons, vibrating boxes, and rocking out on the electric uke to fill in the music for sensitive scenes and the numerous comedic ad breaks.
A real treasure to see, especially with the clear passion that this troupe has in keeping the show fresh and improve their performances over time.
Josh Fidelak
Chelsey Grewar: Adult Twin
Awkward Cheese Co.—Son of Warehouse
In addition to some funny material related to the twin theme, Chelsey Grewar’s stand-up set had some new takes on some oft-used comedy topics and some topics that were pretty unique. She is good at what she does and had the audience laughing throughout.
Murray Hunter
5-Step Guide to Being German
Paco Erhard | German Comedy International—John Hirsch Mainstage
Paco Erhard is always on my list. He totally changes up his show each time he plays here, which I appreciate. He’s very funny, warm and professional and if you are in the mood to just relax and be entertained, this is a great choice. I’ve seen every show he’s done here; and he was so pleased to hear this. I’ve never been disappointed. This year he gets a bit political, with much mention of US politics and also his fond opinions of Canadians. He’s particularly funny when comparing us to Americans, especially since he now resides there. Which explains less German and more US. Go see this!
Lisa Campbell
ImproVision: Nicolas Cage Match
ImproVision—Duke of Kent Legion
Always fantastic, the ImproVision boys have come to the Fringe once again with new improv games, a new frame for the show, and classic improv skill. The Nicholas Cage theming was a little sparse on the ground, but it’s not like anyone was coming to an ImproVision show because they were promised references to Good ‘Ol Nick. Their final improv game was fantastic as well, integrating puppets with a gonzo recreation of the show that came before it. Was that a spoiler? Who knows, go see this anyway.
Josh Fidelak
Cooking 4 Kids with Undead Newlyweds
Undead Newlyweds—Kids Venue: MTYP – Mainstage
A fun bit of children’s comedy from an outdoor Cube stage staple. The parents of some die-hard fans in the audience assured Jenny that, unlike some performers who can be found on both stages, the Undead Newlyweds offer something that is not merely a reworking of their other show. Their act also takes advantage of the indoor stage with a complimentary setting to their excellent costume and makeup design. The show looks great, is well-paced, and is somewhat innovative with the traditional audience-participation that is largely expected at Kids Venue. I suspect that school-aged children will appreciate that a little more is asked of their attention than to look at something shiny that is being juggled, which is a common trope at this venue which the Undead Newlyweds do not fall into.
Ashley Frantik