FRINGE FEST SADDLES UP

Promises strange, eclectic entertainment

JOEL TRENAMAN

The Winnipeg Fringe Festival’s Shock Corridor promises shocks, laughs. Courtesy of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival

When you first take your seat at a Fringe show, it’s a good idea to be ready for anything. Both discerning and first-time theatre-goers can discover something either silly or serious, and are bound to come across something twisted or sublime. That’s because the annual Winnipeg theatre festival encompasses the wildest range of stage performance you’ll ever see, and this year appears to be no exception. “Western Fringe: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” is the moniker this time around, and the festivities run from July 19 to 30.

Approximately 130 theatre companies will present original and adapted works spread out amongst 20 venues, 18 of which are in the Exchange District proper (two are found at Portage Place). Old Market Square is the nexus of Fringe, where food, beverage and other vendors share space with the festival’s free outdoor stage events.

Nick Kowalchuk, executive producer of the festival, said that the main change to this year’s outdoor stage lineup will be a new “improv idol” competition (nightly at 6 p.m.) pitting members of local and national improv troupes against each other for individual creative bragging rights.

“[Different types of] theatrics are always enjoyed on the outdoor stage, but it’s good to get back to our roots in improv,” explained Kowalchuk.

There will also be a western movie night on July 25, when classic shoot ‘em up The Good, the Bad and the Ugly will screen at 10:30 p.m. Joining these new concepts will be the regular assortment of by-donation magic shows, dance, music, and of course, plays.

As per usual, the Fringe guide contains a batch of strange titles to choose from, accompanied by descriptions that vary between straightforward synopses and weird abstractions. Foreign Fringe returnees include popular performance poet Jem Rolls (Edinburgh), and Erik de Waal (South Africa), who presents two shows: one for the under- 14 set, and a “ribald and raunchy” Canterbury Tales.

Superb local talents Ross McMillan and Joseph Aragon are back (this time presenting Shock Corridor and Conclave: The Musical respectively), as are Chris and Jason Neufeld with even more tales of Mennonite life (Reinventing Miss Exciting). Crumbs and the long-running Big Stupid Improv Show will cover the ensemble improv terrain with skill and wit.

Individual shows are priced between five and nine dollars, with most shows offering student discounts. A “Frequent Fringer” pass will get you into 10 shows for $64 and a “Buddy Pass” allows 14 shows for $88 (but you need a buddy).

Printed programs are available for $5 at Liquor Marts, Safeway locations and the Manitoba Theatre Centre. Advance tickets can be purchased in the MTC lobby at 174 Market Ave. At least 50 per cent of total tickets for each show are reserved for walk-up audiences, however.

Winnipeg’s Fringe is the second biggest in North America by attendance (damn Edmonton), and though the festival has enjoyed tremendous popularity over the years, Kowalchuk is proud to note that the organizers have always stuck to the original ideals.

“The companies can perform whatever they want and we back them up with volunteers, venues and technical [expertise],” Kowalchuk explained. The fact that the festival is not juried and performers keep 100 per cent of their box office earnings help keep the event outside of the theatre mainstream.

Fifty per cent of the spots at Fringe are reserved for local productions, with 30 per cent doled out to other Canadian groups and the remaining 20 per cent given to international companies hitting the North American circuit. Venue slots are so coveted that they are determined by lottery.

Kowalchuk also mentioned the sophistication of the Winnipeg audience and the more than 750 Fringe volunteers as reasons for the festival’s success.

“We’re fortunate enough to have a vibrant cultural community here, and the patrons support it [better than anywhere else].”

At press time, six scheduled shows had been cancelled, including the sole production at Venue 20 (70 Albert St). Up-to-date program changes and other information can be found at Winnipegfringe.com.





Volume 94 Issue 2	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	July 19, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly FRINGE FEST SADDLES UP Promises strange, eclectic entertainment JOEL TRENAMAN The Winnipeg Fringe Festival’s Shock Corridor promises shocks, laughs. Courtesy of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival When you first take your seat at a Fringe show, it’s a good idea to be ready for anything. Both discerning and first-time theatre-goers can discover something either silly or serious, and are bound to come across something twisted or sublime. That’s because the annual Winnipeg theatre festival encompasses the wildest range of stage performance you’ll ever see, and this year appears to be no exception. “Western Fringe: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” is the moniker this time around, and the festivities run from July 19 to 30. Approximately 130 theatre companies will present original and adapted works spread out amongst 20 venues, 18 of which are in the Exchange District proper (two are found at Portage Place). Old Market Square is the nexus of Fringe, where food, beverage and other vendors share space with the festival’s free outdoor stage events. Nick Kowalchuk, executive producer of the festival, said that the main change to this year’s outdoor stage lineup will be a new “improv idol” competition (nightly at 6 p.m.) pitting members of local and national improv troupes against each other for individual creative bragging rights. “[Different types of] theatrics are always enjoyed on the outdoor stage, but it’s good to get back to our roots in improv,” explained Kowalchuk. There will also be a western movie night on July 25, when classic shoot ‘em up The Good, the Bad and the Ugly will screen at 10:30 p.m. Joining these new concepts will be the regular assortment of by-donation magic shows, dance, music, and of course, plays. As per usual, the Fringe guide contains a batch of strange titles to choose from, accompanied by descriptions that vary between straightforward synopses and weird abstractions. Foreign Fringe returnees include popular performance poet Jem Rolls (Edinburgh), and Erik de Waal (South Africa), who presents two shows: one for the under- 14 set, and a “ribald and raunchy” Canterbury Tales. Superb local talents Ross McMillan and Joseph Aragon are back (this time presenting Shock Corridor and Conclave: The Musical respectively), as are Chris and Jason Neufeld with even more tales of Mennonite life (Reinventing Miss Exciting). Crumbs and the long-running Big Stupid Improv Show will cover the ensemble improv terrain with skill and wit. Individual shows are priced between five and nine dollars, with most shows offering student discounts. A “Frequent Fringer” pass will get you into 10 shows for $64 and a “Buddy Pass” allows 14 shows for $88 (but you need a buddy). Printed programs are available for $5 at Liquor Marts, Safeway locations and the Manitoba Theatre Centre. Advance tickets can be purchased in the MTC lobby at 174 Market Ave. At least 50 per cent of total tickets for each show are reserved for walk-up audiences, however. Winnipeg’s Fringe is the second biggest in North America by attendance (damn Edmonton), and though the festival has enjoyed tremendous popularity over the years, Kowalchuk is proud to note that the organizers have always stuck to the original ideals. “The companies can perform whatever they want and we back them up with volunteers, venues and technical [expertise],” Kowalchuk explained. The fact that the festival is not juried and performers keep 100 per cent of their box office earnings help keep the event outside of the theatre mainstream. Fifty per cent of the spots at Fringe are reserved for local productions, with 30 per cent doled out to other Canadian groups and the remaining 20 per cent given to international companies hitting the North American circuit. Venue slots are so coveted that they are determined by lottery. Kowalchuk also mentioned the sophistication of the Winnipeg audience and the more than 750 Fringe volunteers as reasons for the festival’s success. “We’re fortunate enough to have a vibrant cultural community here, and the patrons support it [better than anywhere else].” At press time, six scheduled shows had been cancelled, including the sole production at Venue 20 (70 Albert St). Up-to-date program changes and other information can be found at Winnipegfringe.com.


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