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Life on the Fringe Blog – July 16

Random Thoughts From My Brain

 

The big party called the Winnipeg Fringe Festival is about to begin. I really do consider the Fringe to be one big party, because not only is it a celebration of various forms of theatre (drama, comedy, improv, stand-up, performance poetry, musicals and dance), it's a chance to passionately discuss theatre with old friends and complete strangers. Shows start at 6 pm tonight at many venues in the Exchange District (plus The Gas Station Theatre in Osborne Village) and runs from noon to midnight every night until Sunday July 27. So, to get you in the Fringe mood, here are some random thoughts from my brain.

 

  1. Welcome back Chuck McEwen. Chuck led the Winnipeg Fringe for 5 years in the mid 90s then went to Toronto to head their Fringe for 11 years. He came back to the Winnipeg Fringe in November. Chuck told me one of the big reasons for coming back to Winnipeg is that he is from Brandon, Manitoba and many of his friends and family live here in Manitoba.

 

  1. This year, one of the biggest changes at the Fringe (besides the return of Chuck McEwen) is that you can now buy advance tickets and passes online at winnipegfringe.com. It will be really interesting to see how many people buy tickets online and, in particular, how quickly online tickets sell for popular shows.

 

  1. This year, the Fringe has also changed their cancellation policy. Beginning this year, all groups now had to pay a cancellation deposit, which is refundable after their first performance. I like this change because in 2006, ten groups cancelled. Some had unfortunate circumstances such as a death in the family. But, other groups have cancelled for less compelling reasons such as not being able to get a show ready. If you apply and are accepted into the Fringe, you have made a commitment to both the Fringe and Fringe audiences and therefore you should try your hardest to fulfill it.

 

  1. Speaking of cancellations, two shows have cancelled all of their performances – Dark Corners and LUNDUNTOWN. Additionally, Balls have cancelled their first 3 performances (July 17, 18 and 19) and The Really Real Adventures of Scott Free and Will Do have cancelled their performance on July 20.

 

  1. This has the potential to be a very intelligent Fringe. In recent years, I’ve felt that the Fringe has become mostly a comedy festival, but there seems to be more dramas this year than in previous years. In the program, I count 33 dramas this year compared to 27 at last year’s Fringe. Topics range from sexual relationships with children (The Tricky Part), to cancer (Balls) and changing attitudes in the 20th century (The Dining Room).

 

  1. The Fringe program looks very exquisite this year thanks to the colour photos for each group. However, the environmentalist in me thinks the Fringe should be using recycled paper instead of glossy paper because recycled paper doesn’t require cutting down trees and polluting rivers. Let’s try to reduce our ecological footprint!

 

  1. Speaking of environmentalism, this year I received only 4 physical press kits. Most groups are sending press releases and photos via email. Not only do groups save the cost of materials and mailing but fewer trees are cut. A win-win situation.

 

  1. I noticed a couple of groups put audience participation warnings in the Fringe program. I can understand warnings for language, content or nudity because they could offend some sensitive audience members. But audience participation? I’ve been picked on before at Fringe shows, but as an audience member you have to understand it’s nothing personal and the interaction is part of the fun of going to see a live event.

 

  1. Is it just me or are there more long shows at this year’s Fringe? I count 33 shows over 60 minutes in length, with the longest being Batboy: The Musical clocking in at 105 minutes. Not that I have any problem with length as long as it is a good show. But, if the show is bad, then believe me 90 minutes of uninspiring theatre is a lot more painful than 60 minutes of uninspiring theatre.

 

  1. I’m worried about the weather. We’ve had a cooler and wetter summer so far in Winnipeg. There’s nothing like rain to dampen the festival spirit.

 

  1. The Cinematheque is not a Fringe venue this year. Replacing it is the Planetarium Auditorium, which has almost twice as many seats as the Cinematheque plus offers raised seating. Although, I noticed that the Cinematheque is showing movies during the Fringe so it will be interesting to see how much of an audience they get.

 

  1. I like the Fringe program writeup to Keir Cutler’s show Teaching the Fringe, “Directed by Fringe God TJ Dawe.” No dispute. Dawe consistently delivers top-notch shows that are both funny and intelligent.

 

  1. Another Fringe God (or should I say Fringe Goddess) is Alex Dallas. In fact, a few years ago she performed in a play called Goddess. This year, she was scheduled to perform in Wonderbar!, but had to cancel and the play will instead be performed by the playwright, Celeste Sansregret.

 

  1. I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to our reviewers for this year's Fringe - Terry Moor, Cindy Murdoch and Justin Olynyk. All of us have been attending the Fringe for many years and are passionate about theatre. I hope you enjoy reading our thoughts and reviews from the Fringe.