Fringe reviews #6: You enter the venue and immediately trip over the fourth wall
Sherri Elle Theatre Projects
Creative Manitoba (Venue 22), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐
What would you do if someone you'd just started dating received a life-altering health diagnosis? This one-woman performance follows an unnamed character as she struggles through such a scenario, supporting her partner through his leukemia treatment while trying to make space for her own fears and uncertainties.
Written and performed by Sherri Elle, Cancer Wife crams in a wide variety of themes at a breakneck pace. Unfortunately, many plot points are brought up and then left unexplored within the 60-minute runtime. The timeline occasionally feels unclear, and the narrator is never given the space to become a fully developed character.
Elle brings a lot of emotion (and a strong singing voice) to her performance, and there are several moments where her monologue effectively drags the audience through her character's innermost confessional thoughts. But a more casual speaking style undermines the script's power, and it rushes past some weighty life decisions without examining their long-term impact.
— Matt Schaubroeck
DRAG ME TO THE OPERA
Aida Cupcake Presents
Centre culturel franco-manitobain (Venue 4), to Saturday, July 26
⭐⭐⭐⭐
There's more sweetness than a bonbon in this autobiographical musical written and performed by drag queen Aida Cupcake (a.k.a. Calgary's Steven J. Morton), who has a mellifluous tenor voice as smooth as honey.
Aida delivers a compelling one-hour narrative chronicling her journey to becoming an international opera singer, exploring the way the question 'Can I plausibly pursue this?' haunted her, preying on artistic insecurities and self-doubt. She peppers her monologue with a series of famous arias from Mozart to Puccini, seamlessly changing wigs and costumes like a chameleon. One of the most gut-wrenching scenes comes when she recounts the death of her father, breaking into deeply felt Dido's Lament in which all lines between art and real life blur.
However, just when you think you know how this gender-bender is going to end, Aida surprises us all (no spoilers here) with the dramatic flair worthy of a diva. Now at peace, she ultimately discovers her true, authentic voice before one final confection from Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment, nailing every one of her treacherous high Cs and performing with military zeal.
— Holly Harris
HOUDINI: THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND.
Oddly Entertainment
Centre culturel franco-manitobain (Venue 4), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐
Local performer Brett Oddly's opening show was fraught with jitters over a hastily assembled attempt to meet the promised hour of entertainment.
Still, what unfolded — a reproduction of some of the beloved illusionist and stunt artist Harry Houdini's greatest escapes — was fulfilled with skill.
In between some factoids are dispersed — not much of a deep dive, but some curious and distressing facts about straitjackets are included, and the ultimate wrangle out of one is a grand finale.
A testament to the last-minute machinations was the performer's off-the-cuff remark that the hardest part of the show was remembering he was supposed to be Houdini. Such is Oddly's charm that it came off as vulnerable as opposed to a bait and switch.
— Lara Rae
I HOPE YOU KNOW
Interstellar Theatre Company
Creative Manitoba (Venue 22), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Patiently tapping their fingers on a suitcase before the audience takes its seats, queer theatre student Niko (Adia Branconnier, 17) arrives at the station ahead of schedule, but as always, the train is late, and so is a straggling passenger: Niko's father (Mike Branconnier), who awkwardly wraps his child in a side-hug before a blazingly original, unabashedly open and side-splittingly funny hour-long trip to Toronto's Union Station. Written by the teenage performer — a two-time winner of the Scirocco Drama Manitoba high-school playwriting program — I Hope You Know announces Adia Branconnier as a major talent.
While the younger Branconnier's acting chops, both comedically and dramatically, are excellent, their father proves to be a skilful scene partner, often communicating his character's discomfort, regret and hope for forgiveness with only the whites of his eyes. The production makes wise use of background noise, mixing raindrops, clacking train tracks and the distant clatter of Old Market Square to imbue each moment with the space and time necessary to process a brilliant fringe debut.
— Ben Waldman
LYSISTRATA
R-G Productions
One88 (Venue 23), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐⭐
It might be surprising that 2,400-year-old jokes can still get laughs today, but such is the power of phallic humour. Some not-so-nuanced wordplay and stiff props earned many laughs in this comedic retelling of an all-woman sex strike that tries to usher in peace, in direct opposition to their husbands' penchant for more military solutions.
A large troupe does its best with the source material, with sometimes uneven delivery but no lack of enthusiasm for the punchlines. Some awareness of the original plot might help fill in some narrative gaps that were quickly glossed over, but no homework is required to appreciate the absurd antics.
Clocking in at a lean 50 minutes (not the 75 advertised) the script occasionally felt rushed and lacked much of the source material's social commentary. Sticking largely to Aristophanes' original story brought some millennia-old jokes to life, but the current global situation driven by certain warmongering men might have given a sharper, more modern perspective on this classic.
— Matt Schaubroeck
MOMS MOMS MOMS: A BURLESQUE COMEDY
DD Brassiere
PTE — Colin Jackson Studio (Venue 17), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performers DD Brassiere and Your Mom Kathy let it all hang out as they combine the sensual art of burlesque with comedy.
The middle-aged women say they're doing the show to get some time away from their kids (DD has one, Kathy has three) and let loose. And they sure do. The duo sing, dance, drink wine, tell jokes and anecdotes (including a serious story about an overdose) and get naked — Manitoba Naked, DD says, noting the women were going to use pasties over their nipples, which now can't be exposed after breastfeeding.
The 60-minute production is akin to a variety show with each performer taking the spotlight to do a bit of standup and stripping — to much hooping and hollering from the boisterous crowd, who were treated to some literal eye-popping reveals.
And if you think Your Mom Kathy — a self-described larger MILF — isn't a good burlesque name, she claims the top categories on Porn Hub would say different.
— Rob Williams
THE MONKEY'S PAW
Stumble Upon a Story
Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (Venue 10), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐
Winnipeg's Stumble Upon a Story troupe adapts the 1902 horror story by W.W. Jacobs using masks and puppetry, and a reading of the story for good measure.
If you're not familiar with the horror classic, it's about an old couple who come into possession of the titular artifact, taken from an elderly visitor as he attempts to toss the thing into the fire. It grants the bearer three wishes, but the wish involves an unanticipated sacrifice.
Jacob's much adapted and copied story relies on plucking at the reader's imagination, so it's a solid idea to adapt the story to the stage for two performers (Sarah Higgins and Jo Dixon) clad in robes and masks.
But perhaps it's too much of an abstract thing, factoring the hypnotic music and sound design by Darin Janzen.
The Monkey's Paw is a horror story first, and any production would need a jolt or two to counter the slow ritualistic music and action and the dark cool atmosphere of the venue, all of which conspire to soporific effect.
— Randall King
NERVOUS BREAKDOWN IN G MINOR
Lewis Rawlinson
Théâtre Cercle Molière (Venue 3), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A vulnerable young gay man aspires to be a concert cellist, but the trauma of a Mormon upbringing, drug use and psychological distress put his dreams on hold.
Given the abdication of dignity that can come along with elite pursuit, owing to the historic amount of abuse in classical music against anyone who isn't a cis male, the cure can be worse than the disease.
Their loss. Here is a brave queer soul finally living his best life: a story well told by the Chicago-based actor-musician, interspersed with well-handled Rachmaninoff in the titular minor key.
— Lara Rae
NEUROHILARITY EXPOSED
Neurohilarity
Planetarium Auditorium (Venue 9), to Saturday, July 26
⭐⭐⭐
'When I get nervous, I talk about trains. And baby, I'm always nervous.'
That quip by Adam Schwartz, who has autism, typifies the self-affirming tone of this hour-long showcase for four standup comics under the banner of Neurohilarity, a Winnipeg organization that promotes neurodiverse artists.
The comedians take ownership of their awkwardness and poke fun at the behaviours that accompany their ADD, ADHD or autism, from poor impulse control and hyperfixations to being terrible at small talk and fibbing.
The funniest set is by Rollin Penner, who was diagnosed with ADD in his 50s and is so forgetful and distractible that he can't quite recall what food one of his kids is 'deathly allergic' to.
Carole Cunningham confesses to having a 'closet of shame' for her abandoned hobby supplies. Danielle Kayahara describes herself as 'a wallflower who's bad at telling lies.'
It may be unpolished, but Neurohilarity Exposed demonstrates how laughter really can take the sting out of differences.
— Alison Mayes
TESS TALKS
The Tess Effect
Planetarium Auditorium (Venue 9), to Sunday, July 27
⭐⭐⭐ ½
The five Canadian storytellers who compose this TED Talk-inspired show — Sally Scott, Nicolette Richer, Tessa Emery, Marc Dionne and Theo — met during a retreat called Flying Soulo at the Hollyhock Cortes Island Retreat Centre in B.C., which is where these stories were born. They kept in touch and now, they are baring their souls at the fringe.
Addressing everything from depression, pelvic pain (and the painfully long journey for answers) and a midlife sexual awakening to an ayahuasca trip and a journey into the abyss, these stories are vulnerable, touching and quite often funny, delivered by engaging people.
Not everyone on the bill is as comfortable with their material as others, however, and some of the tellers are on the quiet side. At 66 minutes (a shade shorter than the 75 advertised in the program), it also feels a bit overlong. But if you're looking for relatable tales of humanity and heart, this is your show and these are your people.
— Jen Zoratti
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Free junior hockey camp for kids this summer
THE Isle of Wight Hockey Club is offering a free summer camp for children to encourage them to take up the sport. The club is inviting local children to get active by attending its popular annual camp, on Tuesday, August 13, and Wednesday, August 14. The free event is open to boys and girls aged five to 14, and will run from 10am to 2pm on both days at the club's home ground, on the astro pitch behind Smallbrook Stadium, Ashey. No previous hockey experience is required, with the event focussing on fun, games, skill-building and getting some fresh air. Here's how you can get your children involved You can sign up via this LINK For more information, you can message the Isle of Wight Hockey Club via its Facebook page or by email to iowhcsec@ Organisers are encouraging young Islanders to attend one or both days, where they'll enjoy team activities, make new friends and try something new in a friendly, inclusive environment. While attendance is free, parents and carers are asked to sign up in advance to help with planning. A spokesperson for the club said: "We're excited to announce the return of our annual junior summer camp — and you're invited. "Join us for one or both days. Just come along ready to play and have a great time. "We can't wait to see you on the pitch."
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
From Laos to Brazil, Trump's tariffs leave a lot of losers. But even the winners will pay a price
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught this week left a lot of losers – from small, poor countries like Laos and Algeria to wealthy U.S. trading partners like Canada and Switzerland. They're now facing especially hefty taxes – tariff – on the products they export to the United States starting Aug. 7. The closest thing to winners may be the countries that caved to Trump's demands — and avoided even more pain. But it's unclear whether anyone will be able to claim victory in the long run — even the United States, the intended beneficiary of Trump's protectionist policies. 'In many respects, everybody's a loser here,'' said Barry Appleton, co-director of the Center for International Law at the New York Law School. Barely six months after he returned to the White House, Trump has demolished the old global economic order. Gone is one built on agreed-upon rules. In its place is a system in which Trump himself sets the rules, using America's enormous economic power to punish countries that won't agree to one-sided trade deals and extracting huge concessions from the ones that do. 'The biggest winner is Trump,' said Alan Wolff, a former U.S. trade official and deputy director-general at the World Trade Organization. 'He bet that he could get other countries to the table on the basis of threats, and he succeeded – dramatically.'' Everything goes back to what Trump calls 'Liberation Day'' – April 2 – when the president announced 'reciprocal'' taxes of up to 50% on imports from countries with which the United States ran trade deficits and 10% 'baseline'' taxes on almost everyone else. He invoked a 1977 law to declare the trade deficit a national emergency that justified his sweeping import taxes. That allowed him to bypass Congress, which traditionally has had authority over taxes, including tariffs — all of which is now being challenged in court. Winners will still pay higher tariffs than before Trump took office Trump retreated temporarily after his Liberation Day announcement triggered a rout in financial markets and suspended the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days to give countries a chance to negotiate. Eventually, some of them did, caving to Trump's demands to pay what four months ago would have seemed unthinkably high tariffs for the privilege of continuing to sell into the vast American market. The United Kingdom agreed to 10% tariffs on its exports to the United States — up from 1.3% before Trump amped up his trade war with the world. The U.S. demanded concessions even though it had run a trade surplus, not a deficit, with the UK for 19 straight years. The European Union and Japan accepted U.S. tariffs of 15%. Those are much higher than the low single-digit rates they paid last year — but lower than the tariffs he was threatening (30% on the EU and 25% on Japan). Also cutting deals with Trump and agreeing to hefty tariffs were Pakistan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Even countries that saw their tariffs lowered from April without reaching a deal are still paying much higher tariffs than before Trump took office. Angola's tariff, for instance, dropped to 15% from 32% in April, but in 2022 it was less than 1.5%. And while Trump administration cut Taiwan's tariff to 20% from 32% in April, the pain will still be felt. '20% from the beginning has not been our goal, we hope that in further negotiations we will get a more beneficial and more reasonable tax rate,' Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te told reporters in Taipei Friday. Trump also agreed to reduce the tariff on the tiny southern African kingdom of Lesotho to 15% from the 50% he'd announced in April, but the damage may already have been done there. Bashing Brazil, clobbering Canada, shellacking the Swiss Countries that didn't knuckle under — and those that found other ways to incur Trump's wrath — got hit harder. Even some of the poor were not spared. Laos' annual economic output comes to $2,100 per person and Algeria's $5,600 — versus America's $75,000. Nonetheless, Laos got rocked with a 40% tariff and Algeria with a 30% levy. Trump slammed Brazil with a 50% import tax largely because he didn't like the way it was treating former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for trying to lose his electoral defeat in 2022. Never mind that the U.S. has exported more to Brazil than it's imported every year since 2007. Trump's decision to plaster a 35% tariff on longstanding U.S. ally Canada was partly designed to threaten Ottawa for saying it would recognize a Palestinian state. Trump is a staunch supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Switzerland was clobbered with a 39% import tax — even higher than the 31% Trump originally announced on April 2. "The Swiss probably wish that they had camped in Washington'' to make a deal, said Wolff, now senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. "They're clearly not at all happy.'' Fortunes may change if Trump's tariffs are upended in court. Five American businesses and 12 states are suing the president, arguing that his Liberation Day tariffs exceeded his authority under the 1977 law. In May, the U.S. Court of International Trade, a specialized court in New York, agreed and blocked the tariffs, although the government was allowed to continue collecting them while its appeal wend its way through the legal system, and may likely end up at the U.S. Supreme Court. In a hearing Thursday, the judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit sounded skeptical about Trump's justifications for the tariffs. 'If (the tariffs) get struck down, then maybe Brazil's a winner and not a loser,'' Appleton said. Paying more for knapsacks and video games Trump portrays his tariffs as a tax on foreign countries. But they are actually paid by import companies in the U.S. who try to pass along the cost to their customers via higher prices. True, tariffs can hurt other countries by forcing their exporters to cut prices and sacrifice profits — or risk losing market share in the United States. But economists at Goldman Sachs estimate that overseas exporters have absorbed just one-fifth of the rising costs from tariffs, while Americans and U.S. businesses have picked up the most of the tab. Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Ford, Best Buy, Adidas, Nike, Mattel and Stanley Black & Decker, have all hiked prices due to U.S. tariffs "This is a consumption tax, so it disproportionately affects those who have lower incomes,'' Appleton said. 'Sneakers, knapsacks ... your appliances are going to go up. Your TV and electronics are going to go up. Your video game devices, consoles are going to up because none of those are made in America.'' Trump's trade war has pushed the average U.S. tariff from 2.5% at the start of 2025 to 18.3% now, the highest since 1934, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University. And that will impose a $2,400 cost on the average household, the lab estimates. 'The U.S. consumer's a big loser,″ Wolff said. ____ AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber contributed to this story. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ferrari's Leclerc beats the McLarens to take pole for F1's Hungarian Grand Prix
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Charles Leclerc snatched a surprise first pole position of the year for Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday, beating both McLarens. Leclerc punched the air in delight as he climbed out of the car after beating Oscar Piastri by 0.026 of a second and the other McLaren of Lando Norris by .041. Defending champion Max Verstappen was only eighth after struggling with the balance of his Red Bull, while Lewis Hamilton was 12th for Ferrari. ___ AP auto racing:
