Fringe Show Reviews – Winnipeg Free Press

Five-star shows at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival

12 minute read Wednesday, Jul. 26, 2023

The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival offers many, many shows — and all of them have been reviewed by our dedicated team of writers. There is something for everyone to see and enjoy, but there is a lot to choose from.

If you don't want to "eeny meeny miney mo" to decide what to watch, take a look at the list of shows that received the highest rating from our reviewers.

Check out the five-star reviews from this year's fringe festival below.

DRAG ME TO THE OPERAAida Cupcake Presents

Advertise With Us

Weather

Apr. 18, 6 PM: 2°c Cloudy with wind Apr. 19, 12 AM: 0°c Cloudy with wind

Winnipeg MB

3°C, Cloudy with wind

Full Forecast

Day 4: Cannot get enough of these fringe play reviews

10 minute read Preview

Day 4: Cannot get enough of these fringe play reviews

10 minute read Sunday, Jul. 23, 2023

ALWAYS BECAUSE: THE ADVENTURES OF MAGGIE AND MEGHANUs <3

The Cinematheque (Venue 7), to Sunday

Written and performed by Ottawa’s Maggie May Harder and Meghan Aglaia Burns (who are also a couple), this 45-minute comedy about queer love and joy has some really good ideas but suffers from its self-conscious execution.

Which is too bad, because it’s clear that both comedians are smart and have lots to say (the show was at its best when they went off script). Harder’s short standup set, which kicks off the show, has lots of laughs, as does Burns’ turn as cis-het guy finally getting therapy.

Read

Sunday, Jul. 23, 2023

JEN MOORE PHOTO
Laura Piccinin in Lesbihonest

Day 4: Another freshly prepared batch of fringe play reviews

27 minute read Preview

Day 4: Another freshly prepared batch of fringe play reviews

27 minute read Tuesday, Jul. 25, 2023

ADVENTURE OF THE LITTLE ROOSTERThe Grand Salto Theatre

Kids Venue (MTYP — Mainstage), to Sunday

Ontario’s Zita Nyarady could give Emma Memma of Wiggles fame a run for her money. The Kids Fringe 45-minute fable about a Little Rooster getting back his silver ring from an evil cabbage delighted a lively Saturday afternoon audience. Nyarady as the Little Rooster (as well as the rest of the show’s characters) had the audience in the palm of her hand (or wing). The physicality displayed throughout was fun to watch and take part in (though this reviewer was too shy to jump up for the dance party at the end of the performance).

It’s impossible not to be charmed by Adventure of the Little Rooster. It is a perfect example of what kids fringe should be: fun, silly and full of bubbles. ★★★★★

Read

Tuesday, Jul. 25, 2023

Supplied
From left: Luke Cecelon, Kevin Ramberran, Thomas Toles, Daniel Chen and Cuinn Joseph of Club Soda

Day 4: No such thing as too much when it comes to fringe play reviews

20 minute read Preview

Day 4: No such thing as too much when it comes to fringe play reviews

20 minute read Sunday, Jul. 23, 2023

90 LIES AN HOUR: PAUL STRICKLANDPaul Strickland Presents

MTYP Mainstage (Venue 21), to Sunday

American storyteller Paul Strickland returns with tall tales from his Ain’t True and Uncle False oeuvre in this hour-long, tightly woven routine of four comedic stories and a song. He takes the scenic route to steer his audience toward wordplay punchlines.

Strickland is a gifted orator capable of crafting emotional beats based entirely on folksy, “non-factual” characters. The moral of the stories is, invariably, about the strength of community. “What you walk away with is something that is true — for you,” as Strickland puts it.

Read

Sunday, Jul. 23, 2023

Day 1: The first of many fringe play reviews are in… take your pick

14 minute read Preview

Day 1: The first of many fringe play reviews are in… take your pick

14 minute read Thursday, Jul. 20, 2023

ANESTI DANELIS: THIS SHOW WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFEAnesti Danelis

Théâtre Cercle Molière (Venue 3), to Thursday, July 27

Armed with a guitar, keyboard and violin, Toronto musical comedian Anesti Danelis riffs on wellness, self-help, dating, office culture and growing up in a Greek household. But too often, his observations are funny in the way that might make you smile but not laugh.

Many of the jokes feel dated — bits about manbuns, astrology and Instagramming meals are very 2014 — and the songs are overwritten (breathless run-on verses are only amusing the first few times, and then they get tedious). Danelis is competent on his instruments, but he’s not exactly a virtuoso, and comedy songs still need to be actual songs, with hooks and choruses and melodies. And one tune is so unfunny — and unnecessarily vulgar — that it should be cut from the show entirely.

Read

Thursday, Jul. 20, 2023

April 18, 2024

Notification Settings

Breaking News

Recommended Reads

Related