What’s On Winnipeg-Crime pays for law-breaking theatre
Thursday, 21 December 2006
THE verdict is in on the 20th annual Winnipeg Fringe Festival. The event’s executive producer, Nick Kowalchuk, pleaded guilty to the charge of presenting anarchic theatre over 12 lawless days at a criminally affordable rate. Dressed in a black and white striped prison outfit complete with a ball and chain around his ankle, Kowalchuk announced Tuesday night there would be a prison theme for the 2007 festival, set for July 18-29. His sentence — 20 years to life –describes what the festival has been celebrating for the last two decades. “We liked the idea of incorporating our anniversary into it,” said Kowalchuk, the outlaw who dressed as a lawman at the 2006 western-themed fringe. “Good guys and bad guys are always great to have fun with at the festival.” In front of a captive audience of approximately 60 at the MTC Warehouse, he also conducted the annual lottery in which the lucky troupes secure a spot into the theatre party that takes place in and around Old Market Square. In all, 225 applicants from around the world were competing for 110 places. There were 92 applicants vying for 55 spots in the local category. Bruce Henry and Craig Haas of Poodle on the Hardwood Productions are two locals who were extremely excited about getting into the festival on their first attempt. “My cousin and I always go together and we get the program as soon as it comes out and we highlight what we want to go and see,” said Henry. “And now we’re going to be in that program,” added Haas. In their show, entitled CPAC — Canadian Politicians Acting Childish, they will play politicians who might sound vaguely familiar. Haas, wearing a red scarf, will portray Bellini Stronach, and Henry, wearing a blue scarf, is playing Rum-and-Coke Ambrose. With a promotion idea worthy of fringe veterans, they plan on inviting all MPs across the country to attend their show. For all of their excitement, there appeared to be more people in attendance who did not get in, judging by the boos and oohs that accompanied the drawing of an unsuccessful lottery number. Jane Testar and Shannon Guile of sketch comedy group Hot Thespian Action did not win a slot at the fringe this year. They are on the waiting list, however, and still could get the call if another groups drop out.Testar was disappointed but remained optimistic. She said the group may apply to mount the show as a Bring Your Own Venue entry, as they did last year. In addition to the 55 local berths, there were 33 spots set aside for Canadian acts and another 22 for international performers. The performers behind such hits as last year’s Caberlesque, Teaching Shakespeare and Tippi Seagram’s Happy Hour will be back in 2007. Approximately 22 venues in the Exchange District will serve as the stages for the 110 shows. After an initial application fee, the performers keep 100 per cent of the gate receipts. Last year, over 69,000 people saw the indoor performances, with a little more than the same number attending the free outdoor events. Kowalchuk is banking on the companies’ continued freshness to keep fringe-goers showing up. “These guys keep coming back, they come with different material, new material,” he said, so other than that, we’re going to have a couple of anniversary things that we’ll do, but there’s not a lot that’s new.” Produced by the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the 12-day fringe festival is the second largest in North America, behind the one held in Edmonton
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