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Fringe Survival Tips

 

This year’s Winnipeg Fringe Festival features 141 different companies presenting shows in a variety of genres including drama, comedy, improv, dance, musicals, children’s shows, spoken word and multi-media. It’s impossible to see all of the shows during the 12 days of the Fringe. So, you will have to make choices on what shows you will see. The following tips will hopefully make your Fringe experience enjoyable.

 

  1. Buy a program. They cost $5 and are available right now at Safeway, Liquor Mart and the Manitoba Theatre Centre. After the Fringe starts Wednesday night, they will be available at the venues and at the info tent in Old Market Square. After you buy a program, read it. (What's the point of buying something if you don't read it?) If you see a show that interests you, go see it. If a show description sounds interesting, chances are you'll like it.
  2. Talk to other Fringers. Get to shows early and talk to other people waiting in line. Also, after the venue opens and you get a seat, talk to the person next to you. Ask them what other shows they've seen and what they liked and did not like. Try to engage in a meaningful conversation. If someone tells you they saw an amazing show, ask them what was so special about it? Was it the acting? The script? The direction? etc. If a person can clearly describe to me what was wonderful and they make me excited about that show, I'll go and see it.
  3. Be media savvy. Read a wide variety of media outlets. Winnipeg has a lot of media outlets that cover the Fringe. The list includes the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg Sun, CBC, UMFM, and the Jenny Revue. Each day each of these outlets post dozens of reviews. Uptown Magazine will publish reviews on Thursday July 24. Read them. If you read a review and the review makes the show sound interesting, go see it. Don't only look at the star ratings media outlets assign to a show because star ratings are not consistent between reviewers (i.e. Two reviewers can have different definitions of 4 stars). I’ve seen brilliant 2 stars shows and dull 5 star shows.
  4. When planning what shows to see, think about how you are feeling. If you're tired, don't see intense drama. Generally, I see the heavier shows (drama) earlier in the day when my brain is most alert and save the comedies for the late night shows.
  5. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Even though most venues are close to Old Market Square (the exceptions are the 2 venues inside Portage Place and the Gas Station Theatre in Osborne Village), you will have to stand in line, because they don't open up the venues until about 15 minutes before the show.
  6. Bring a water bottle (or two or three). During the summer, it can actually get pretty hot in Winnipeg (over 30 C). Plus, not all venues have air conditioning. Other venues have poor air circulation. So drink lots of water.
  7. Listen to the radio and find out the weather before you head down to the Fringe. Or, google Environment Canada to get the weather. And dress appropriately for the weather.
  8. Even if you see the absolute worst show in the world, there's always the beer tent in Old Market Square to look forward to.