The Winnipeg if... Improv Festival is coming soon!
Oct 17th - 21st, 2017
Showing posts with label shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shows. Show all posts
The Winnipeg Comedy Festival approaches
Well spring is feeling like it's here already. Is it global warming? Is it wishful thinking? Let's just enjoy the weather and smile and go to shows.
The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is almost here... well, it's here April 3rd - 10th but that seems like soon to me. I'm busy working on making sure all the festival things happen and that is no small feat. There are MANY amazing shows in the festival to announce, but there are also some shows coming up before the festival to talk about to. So many shows!
Versus Improv Show RE-MATCH
Tuesday, Mar 1st
at the King's Head Pub 9PM
This is part of the FREE comedy that happens at Comedy Knights at the King's Head at 9pm. The Versus Improv Show has two teams face off with SECRET improv challenges. Last time we had the U of M Improv group defeat the U of W Improv group. This show is the re-match. Last time we had secret challenges like "rap battle" and "write an improv poem"... who knows what secret challenges we will have this time?
Then we start featuring some FREE outreach comedy shows as we get closer to the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
Thursday, March 17th
at the Handsome Daughter
Wednesday, March 23rd
at Jekyll & Hyde's
Thursday, March 24th
at McNally Bookstore at Grant Park Mall
Tuesday, March 29th
at the King's Head (Comedy Knights)
Wed, March 30th
at the Park Theatre (Comedy Amuse-Bouche)
Then we have the Winnipeg Comedy Festival actually start, which means that Winnipeg EXPLODES with comedy. So much comedy, so much stand-up, so much improv, so much sketch, so much funny and so many jokes.
Check out the website for information about the 40+ shows featured in this year's festival.
Some highlights?
CRUMBS & Friends
Yes, you'll see CRUMBS with DJ Hunnicutt at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival with some very special guests.
The High School Improv Super Show
The return of this favourite show. Hand selected players from the Canadian Improv Games FINALS will be assembled into a Super Team. This show will be hosted by Caitlin Curtis and Stephen Sim.
Lost in Translation, Perdu en quoi?
The French and English improv show all about miscommunication. A hit last year, sure to be a hit again. Get your tickets early for this one, the venue is small and the laughs are huge.
The Sketch Comedy Revue hosted by Kevin McDonald
A comedy festival must include sketch comedy. Here we have sketch comedy legend Kevin McDonald hosting this sketch comedy revue. The show will include Craig Lauzon (Royal Canadian Air Farce), Wes Borg (Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie), Hot Thespian Action, H.U.N.K.S., Stephen & Caity and Bucko.
But really... there are so many great shows to check out!
The Canadian Improv Games
The FINALS for the Manitoba Regional Tournament
Were on Saturday, Feb 27th at MBCI (Jubilee Place) 7PM
The Canadian Improv Games have been produced in Winnipeg by the Manitoba Improv League since 1998 and has been sending a team to represent Manitoba at the National Tournament in Ottawa. Congratulations to KELVIN for winning the tournament and being the face of Manitoba improv for 2016!
This is the very best in High School improv from right here in Manitoba and across the country. This is why Canadians are famous for our improv!
The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is almost here... well, it's here April 3rd - 10th but that seems like soon to me. I'm busy working on making sure all the festival things happen and that is no small feat. There are MANY amazing shows in the festival to announce, but there are also some shows coming up before the festival to talk about to. So many shows!
Versus Improv Show RE-MATCH
Tuesday, Mar 1st
at the King's Head Pub 9PM
This is part of the FREE comedy that happens at Comedy Knights at the King's Head at 9pm. The Versus Improv Show has two teams face off with SECRET improv challenges. Last time we had the U of M Improv group defeat the U of W Improv group. This show is the re-match. Last time we had secret challenges like "rap battle" and "write an improv poem"... who knows what secret challenges we will have this time?
Then we start featuring some FREE outreach comedy shows as we get closer to the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
Thursday, March 17th
at the Handsome Daughter
Wednesday, March 23rd
at Jekyll & Hyde's
Thursday, March 24th
at McNally Bookstore at Grant Park Mall
Tuesday, March 29th
at the King's Head (Comedy Knights)
Wed, March 30th
at the Park Theatre (Comedy Amuse-Bouche)
Then we have the Winnipeg Comedy Festival actually start, which means that Winnipeg EXPLODES with comedy. So much comedy, so much stand-up, so much improv, so much sketch, so much funny and so many jokes.
Check out the website for information about the 40+ shows featured in this year's festival.
Some highlights?
CRUMBS & Friends
Yes, you'll see CRUMBS with DJ Hunnicutt at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival with some very special guests.
The High School Improv Super Show
The return of this favourite show. Hand selected players from the Canadian Improv Games FINALS will be assembled into a Super Team. This show will be hosted by Caitlin Curtis and Stephen Sim.
Lost in Translation, Perdu en quoi?
The French and English improv show all about miscommunication. A hit last year, sure to be a hit again. Get your tickets early for this one, the venue is small and the laughs are huge.
The Sketch Comedy Revue hosted by Kevin McDonald
A comedy festival must include sketch comedy. Here we have sketch comedy legend Kevin McDonald hosting this sketch comedy revue. The show will include Craig Lauzon (Royal Canadian Air Farce), Wes Borg (Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie), Hot Thespian Action, H.U.N.K.S., Stephen & Caity and Bucko.
But really... there are so many great shows to check out!
The Canadian Improv Games
The FINALS for the Manitoba Regional Tournament
Were on Saturday, Feb 27th at MBCI (Jubilee Place) 7PM
The Canadian Improv Games have been produced in Winnipeg by the Manitoba Improv League since 1998 and has been sending a team to represent Manitoba at the National Tournament in Ottawa. Congratulations to KELVIN for winning the tournament and being the face of Manitoba improv for 2016!
This is the very best in High School improv from right here in Manitoba and across the country. This is why Canadians are famous for our improv!
Improv & Comedy coming up in Winnipeg
Winnipeg shows are coming up. Yes, the world seems to end in February and it seems like nothing will ever be good again. But instead of being depressed, let the comedy and improv melt your heart and make you feel good.
Thank you to all the people in Berlin who came out to the Virtual CRUMBS show we had at the Ratibortheater in Berlin. Lee was live on the stage while Stephen was live in his living room using the magic internet.
What's that? Upcoming shows? Of course!
Tue, Feb 16th
The Comedy Double Date Show
The Comedy Double Date is a real live double date of
comedy. Two of Winnipeg's power couples of comedy, spanning the world of stand-up, improv and sketch, unite. Tim Gray, Dana Smith, Caitlin Curtis and Stephen Sim combine forces and let you tag along like a fifth wheel on their comedy double date.
All happening at the King's Head Pub as part of the Comedy Knights comedy series that happens ever single Tuesday night.
Look for CRUMBS during the Winnipeg Comedy Festival as it gets closer and closer. Fri, April 8th at the Gas Station Arts Centre.
CRUMBS again
Let's CRUMBS again. Let's keep CRUMBSing together shall we? CRUMBS is returning to the Fringe to perform at the King's Head pub again. You love it, we love, everybody loves it.
"It takes a lot of practice to be this good at making stuff up." -CBC 2015 (5 STARS)
Here are the dates and times for you to program into you phone or write into your calendar:
Wed July 15 8:45pm
Thu July 16 10:30pm
Fri July 17 7pm
Sat July 18 10:30pm
Sun July 19 10:30pm
Mon July 20 7pm
Tue July 21 8:45pm
Wed July 22 7pm
Thu July 23 10:30pm
Fri July 24 10:30pm
Sat July 25 8:45pm
Venue #14 King's Head Pub
Venue #14 King's Head Pub
But what other Fringe shows do you need to know about?
The Big Stupid Improv Show
The improv jam show hosted by CRUMBS and featuring all of your favourite fringe performers and improvisers and comedians together on one stage. An improv show that is so big and so stupid we were required by fringe laws to name it what we did.
"Put it at the top of your list if you're looking for a laugh and are unafraid to put your best and worst ideas into action." -CBC 2015 (4 STARS)
Wed July 15 6:30pm
Thu July 16 12pm
Fri July 17 9pm
Sat July 18 5:15pm
Sun July 19 12pm
Mon July 20 4:15pm
Wed July 22 9:45pm
Fri July 24 2:45pm
Sat July 25 5:30pm
Sun July 26 7:15pm
Venue #21
MTYP - Mainstage 2 Forks Market Rd. (The Forks)
The LINK to buy your advance tix
The LINK to the facebook event page
The LINK to the CBC review for 2015
The LINK to buy your advance tix
The LINK to the facebook event page
The LINK to the CBC review for 2015
What Could Go Wrong?
Hold on, you get a comedy show written AND performed by Caitlin Curtis AND Stephen Sim? What could go wrong?
Thu July 16 9pm
Sat July 18 1:45pm
Sun July 19 7:15pm
Thu July 23 12pm
Fri July 24 5pm
Sat July 25 3:30pm
Sun July 26 5:30pm
Venue #2
MTC Up the Alley 174 Market Ave.
Revenge of the Meek
Andrew Lizotte has crafted a comedy play about religion. Hilarious right? Throw in a stellar cast of performers and some comedic and production guidance from Stephen Sim, and you have a very fringy play with a brain a heart and an everlasting soul. It's a comedy, we swear to God!
Wed July 15 10pm
Sat July 18 Noon
Sun July 19 7:15pm
Mon July 20 6:15pm
Wed July 22 2:30pm
Fri July 24 4:45pm
Sat July 25 7:15pm
Venue #6 Tom Hendry Warehouse
LINK to get your advance TIX
LINK to the facebook event page
What other shows are coming up before the Fringe?
LINK to the facebook event page
What other shows are coming up before the Fringe?
June 24th
HUNKS & Big Stupid Improv Show
See Winnipeg's newest improv troupe do their 3rd show at the Park Theatre and then take part in an improv show guided by the improv mastery of the Big Stupid Improv Show!
Facebook event LINK!
HUNKS & Big Stupid Improv Show
See Winnipeg's newest improv troupe do their 3rd show at the Park Theatre and then take part in an improv show guided by the improv mastery of the Big Stupid Improv Show!
Facebook event LINK!
Tuesday, June 30th
Fringe Preview at the King's Head
The Comedy Knights last show of the season will be a Fringe Preview show! Come and get a free tasting menu of all the comedy and improv shows at the Fringe. Then when the Fringe comes along in July you'll know exactly what gourmet shows you'll want to gorge yourself on. (Metaphors)
CRUMBS, The Big Stupid Improv Show, DnD Improv, Hot Thespian Action, Revenge of the Meek (Thin Lizotte Productions), What Could Go Wrong? (Stephen Sim & Caitlin Curtis), Turned (the Zombie Improv Show), Biggest Little Child Star (Melanie Dahling), The Unchosen One (Cathy Herbert), and maybe even more.
Thank you, and we will see you at the shows.
p.s. Hi Dad
Comedy in Winnipeg
Comedy and improv and then even more comedy keeps just happening in Winnipeg. It's mostly because Winnipeg breeds funny. Geographically speaking, the centre of continents are usually funnier than their coastlines, it's just a fact, a fact with many exceptions. One of those exceptions is the East Coast of Canada. Another exception is the West Coast of Canada, but the west coast isn't trying to be funny, they just ARE funny. Not as funny as an Albertan Conservative trying to digest the latest provincial election results... but I digress.
Here is the scoop on the comedy happening in Winnipeg!
An improv show filled with comedy and suspense and story and hilarity is just what you need to recover from a May Long Weekend of rain soaked sleeping bags and soggy fires. We have a strong leak-free roof at the King’s Head. We have a stage filled with live comedy and improv. We have beers that are kept cold in a fridge and not in a 20 year old cooler. We have food that is prepared without the use of fire. It isn’t quaint and it isn’t rustic… but it is the Comedy Knights Show for FREE at the King’s Head on a Tuesday.
Stephen Sim from CRUMBS hosts many amazing guests in this show.
Special guests include some of the amazing comedy folks in town filming Sunnyside (City TV). See Pat Thorton, Alice Moran, Rob Norman, Alistair Forbes, and Kevin Vidal.
As well, we have the ladies from Outside Joke (are they a brand new sub-division of the much loved Winnipeg improv troupe?). We have Caitlin Curtis (the Improv Bachelorette). We probably have even more...
There are so many guests and so much comedy and so little rain soaked drippy tents… it’s going to be great.
(*Please be sure to store you food at least 30 meters away from the stage. Because bears)
FACEBOOK EVENT LINK
What else?
H.U.N.K.S are doing another sketch comedy show at the Park Theatre. This time their special guests are Outside Joke. So this show will be filled with the glorious sketch comedy and the glorious improv. I don't use the word glorious enough.
May 20th at the Park theatre!
LINK TO BUY TICKETS!
What else?
The Kids in the Hall are on a reunion tour and they play a show in Winnipeg on Friday at the Walker Theatre/Burton Cummings Theatre... you know the theatre.
Kevin McDonald has been living in Winnipeg so obviously Winnipeg has claimed him as their own. So this is really like a legendary comedy troupe returning to play their hometown crowd, sort of.
Come and see the TV sketch comedy stars of the 90's and laugh really really hard.
Fri, May 22nd at the old Walker Theatre!
LINK TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ABOUT KITH
What else?
Todd Barry brings his live comedy show to the Park Theatre on Thu, May 21st. He's funny. You want to see it if you like comedy.
EXAMPLE OF TODD BARRY
What else?
Well remember that the FRINGE is coming up and there will so many shows with many comedy hilarities inside them.
1)
CRUMBS returns to the King's Head
2)
The Big Stupid Improv Show returns to MTYP
2)
Stephen is helping out with a couple other shows in the FRINGE. What Could Go Wrong? and Revenge of the Meek.
3)
DnD Improv and Hot Thespian Action will be returning to the GSAC to do shows.
4)
Even more... there are even more shows to see. Don't worry though, I'll keep you updated.
Thank you,
Enjoy the outdoors
CRUMBS pledge-o-rama and other other stuff-o-rama
It's getting close to that time when the leaves change colour and fall off the trees. We cozy up and get ready for the winter. Here's some ways to stay warm.
CRUMBS has been making radio live on Mondays for almost a decade. We've won numerous made-up awards for report the news that most media companies are afraid to touch and we've broadcasted into your homes. We are now reaching out during the UMFM Pledge-o-rama which is a pledge drive for our listeners to put their money where their ears are and support the amazing radio that 101.5 UMFM has been delivering for years.
Tune in on Monday at 5-6PM for live radio news of the fake. This week we have wonderful guests from the Week Thus Far crew (Ryan Ash, Chad Anderson and Tim Gray). The Week Thus Far tapes live on Mondays at the King's Head Pub and you can be one of those "live studio audiences" that everyone is talking about.
What else is up the CRUMBS sleeves?
CRUMBS splits in two! While Lee White is busy spreading the improv love across Europe, Stephen Sim holds the fort down here in the Prairies.
Tue, Oct 21st 9PM
CRUMB & Friends performs at the King's Head on Tuesday with the musical wizardry of Dj Hunnicutt. We will have the talent and wonder of Jane Testar and Robyn Slade joining the stage for some "not-to-be-missed" improv spectacular.
Jane and Robyn are both in Outside Joke and have been killing the improv scene with their improv musical style show for years (years before a lot of these other improv musical shows have been doing it btw).
Tue, Nov 4th 9PM
TiL stands for Today I Learned... which will be a special Comedy Knights showcase show of "jokes worth spreading". This TED inspired parody/satire/actual lecture of information. The comedy community in Winnipeg is not only hilarious, we are also a deep well of valuable information and we all do have "jokes worth spreading". Show up for hilarity and education and more hilarity and then some more knowledge.
Click this LINK to find out how cool TED is, now imagine how cool this show will be.
Tune in and keep tuning in for more radio and live show updates!
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CRUMBS battles Winter
CRUMBS is in Vancouver! Come and see us be CRUMBS here.
Hey, want to know some CRUMBS history? Okay, the first show that CRUMBS ever did as a duo was way back in 1998 in Vancouver in the Vancouver Little Theatre. We then became a permanent duo show after shedding a member (becoming slimmer really looked good on us). Here we are back in Vancouver... 15-16 years later doing a show.
Get your tickets the old fashioned way ONLINE NOW!
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Meanwhile, last week in Winnipeg... CRUMBS was a trio again for a night.
Here is a picture of CRUMBS backstage with Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall was a TV show in the 90's). We did in fact have a great time performing together. It was the closing show of the Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival and it was great to play with our friend Kevin. The duo was a trio and it worked out quite well. Then we went back to being a duo again.
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Speaking of shows...
CRUMBS is playing a show at the King's Head Pub as part of the COMEDY KNIGHTS comedy series that happens for free every Tuesday night at 9pm upstairs of the King's Head.
We then continue to offer up improv genius and hilarity every other Tuesday at the King's Head. But really, you should go to the King's Head every Tuesday for the FREE comedy.
See y'all there!
-----
What's that? You are interested in WORKSHOPS? What's that? You're wondering how I can hear you ask questions through the internet and how I can write the answers down here?
Well, I will answer your workshop question. Stephen Sim is teaching a workshop series for writers:
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Sorry folks, we live in Winnipeg, we have winter.
Hey, want to know some CRUMBS history? Okay, the first show that CRUMBS ever did as a duo was way back in 1998 in Vancouver in the Vancouver Little Theatre. We then became a permanent duo show after shedding a member (becoming slimmer really looked good on us). Here we are back in Vancouver... 15-16 years later doing a show.
Get your tickets the old fashioned way ONLINE NOW!
-----
Meanwhile, last week in Winnipeg... CRUMBS was a trio again for a night.
Here is a picture of CRUMBS backstage with Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall was a TV show in the 90's). We did in fact have a great time performing together. It was the closing show of the Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival and it was great to play with our friend Kevin. The duo was a trio and it worked out quite well. Then we went back to being a duo again.
-----
Speaking of shows...
CRUMBS is playing a show at the King's Head Pub as part of the COMEDY KNIGHTS comedy series that happens for free every Tuesday night at 9pm upstairs of the King's Head.
We then continue to offer up improv genius and hilarity every other Tuesday at the King's Head. But really, you should go to the King's Head every Tuesday for the FREE comedy.
See y'all there!
-----
What's that? You are interested in WORKSHOPS? What's that? You're wondering how I can hear you ask questions through the internet and how I can write the answers down here?
Well, I will answer your workshop question. Stephen Sim is teaching a workshop series for writers:
UNBLOCK: Improv as a Means of Defeating Writers Block
The workshop is a collaboration between the Manitoba Association of Playwrights and the Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival.
Here is the LINK for more details.
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Speaking of winter... it's coming and CRUMBS just cannot seem to burn enough raw crude oil to stop it.
Sorry folks, we live in Winnipeg, we have winter.
CRUMBS and the Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival!
The summer sets like the sun and the autumn falls upon us like a warm blanket.
-a poem
The fall means several things:
-We "fall back" and screw with our clocks.
-We launch the theatre season and comedy season and improv season of shows.
-We get excited about the 15th Annual Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival
CRUMBS has always worked at spreading improv across Canada and the world. We've toured our show and taught our master classes in so many cities and to so many people. CRUMBS has also grown improv here at home in Winnipeg. One of the ways we do that is by bringing improv players and improv ideas right here to our hometown.
The 15th Annual Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival is one of the best times to bring all these players and ideas and shows and workshops and parties together... I suppose that is what a festival really is.
This year CRUMBS is excited about doing a full show with Kevin McDonald (The Kids In The Hall). This show is sure to become legendary and everyone should probably get their Tickets NOW to ensure you are among the hundreds left without tickets huddled around the doors to try and catch a glimpse.
CRUMBS with Kevin McDonald
Sat, Oct 4th at 11PM
Gas Station Arts Centre
ONLINE TICKETS
Other cool things happening at this year's festival:
Collaboration with la Lim (the French improv in Winnipeg)
Thu, Oct 2nd at 8pm
Collaboration with the Winnipeg Spoken Word Festival
Sat, Oct 4th at 8pm
Collaboration with the Manitoba Association of Playwrights
Sat, Oct 4th at 8pm
Collaboration with the local Stand-up Comedy scene
Fri, Oct 3rd at 8pm
Collaboration with improv players from Germany, Edmonton and Vancouver with the amazing local players from right here in Winnipeg...
Every night of the festival from Sept 30th to Oct 4th!
-a poem
The fall means several things:
-We "fall back" and screw with our clocks.
-We launch the theatre season and comedy season and improv season of shows.
-We get excited about the 15th Annual Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival
CRUMBS has always worked at spreading improv across Canada and the world. We've toured our show and taught our master classes in so many cities and to so many people. CRUMBS has also grown improv here at home in Winnipeg. One of the ways we do that is by bringing improv players and improv ideas right here to our hometown.
The 15th Annual Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival is one of the best times to bring all these players and ideas and shows and workshops and parties together... I suppose that is what a festival really is.
This year CRUMBS is excited about doing a full show with Kevin McDonald (The Kids In The Hall). This show is sure to become legendary and everyone should probably get their Tickets NOW to ensure you are among the hundreds left without tickets huddled around the doors to try and catch a glimpse.
CRUMBS with Kevin McDonald
Sat, Oct 4th at 11PM
Gas Station Arts Centre
ONLINE TICKETS
Other cool things happening at this year's festival:
Collaboration with la Lim (the French improv in Winnipeg)
Thu, Oct 2nd at 8pm
Collaboration with the Winnipeg Spoken Word Festival
Sat, Oct 4th at 8pm
Collaboration with the Manitoba Association of Playwrights
Sat, Oct 4th at 8pm
Collaboration with the local Stand-up Comedy scene
Fri, Oct 3rd at 8pm
Collaboration with improv players from Germany, Edmonton and Vancouver with the amazing local players from right here in Winnipeg...
Every night of the festival from Sept 30th to Oct 4th!
The Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2014
So here we are knee deep in Winnipeg Fringe Festival. The weather is nice, the shows are nicer and the crowds are great. It's that time of year when Winnipeg actually looks like a real live city and people descend on the downtown in droves. It's also the time of year when Winnipeg goes to theatre in as many droves.
Winnipeg does live theatre and improv and comedy and other performance types all year round, but during the Fringe, everyone knows it and lines up to see.
So the clock is ticking on the Fringe and in no time at all the Fringe shows will be just memories... amazing and mind blowing memories. So to ensure that your Fringe memories are filled with mind blowing "show" memories and not mind blowing "I missed all the shows I should have seen" memories.
CRUMBS: Made up Truths
Every night at the King's Head Pub
Mon, July 21 7:00 PM
Tue, July 22 10:45 PM
Wed, July 23 10:45 PM
Thu, July 24 10:45 PM
Fri, July 25 9:00 PM
Sat, July 26 10:45 PM
Buy your tickets online now so you are not disappointed. The shows have been selling out very quickly. Also, did you know you can get into the King's Head 30 minutes before the show starts so you can enjoy your nachos and boozy drinks.
ONLINE TICKET LINK
Some reviews from this year:
Dear CRUMBS,
Another review would be redundant, no? I mean, you already have a five star quote from 2012 on your sandwich board. I stand by it, but we all know you don’t need it to pack the Fringetime King’s Head.
It’s not that I can’t think of new things to say. Check this out: CRUMBS implausibly defy the law of diminishing returns. They get funnier each time I see them; their caricatures more deft and their on-the-fly story structures more satisfying. Bam. Reviewed anew.
But at this point it’s just gushing, isn’t it? Like your program says, you already have a career 69 stars.
Instead I want to thank you here for your contributions to building an improv community in Winnipeg through the Improv Festival and your support for other performers, as well as your own year round shows. It’s important.
Oh alright, here’s another five for the stats.
5 stars CBC website 2014
CRUMBS
If you’re a Winnipegger and a fan of improv, hopefully you’ve already booked your tickets for Crumbs. Grizzled veterans of the festival, Stephen Sim and Lee White are back for their 17th fringe in a row. You don’t sell out fringe shows for that long without being consistently excellent and this year’s show, Made Up Truths, is no exception. They ask brave souls in the audience for a painful or embarrassing secret and then mine it for an hour of comedy gold. Sim and Lee invent a cast of characters and devise stories before your eyes, all with witty musical counterpoint courtesy of DJ Hunnicutt.
All these years together has helped them hone their skills to the point that they seem to be communicating telepathically. As with any improv, there are always moments that will fall flat, but Crumbs shows are exceptionally low on filler.
— Ben Wiebe Winnipeg Free Press 2014
4 stars
Big Stupid Improv Show
At the MTYP Mainstage at the Forks
Mon, July 21 5:00 PM
Wed, July 23 7:00 PM
Thu, July 24 8:30 PM
Sat, July 26 NooN!
Sun, July 27 7:45 PM
Some reviews from this year:
What do the Fringe’s best improv performers do with their between-shows downtime? More improv, obviously!
This show is a much-loved Fringe tradition, and a must-see for improv fans. The rotating cast guarantees that each show is a wild ride – for the performers as much as for the audience. Some of the performers have worked together for years and know each other’s every cue and rhythm. Some are total strangers, and may have met briefly backstage or in the beer tent. It doesn’t really matter because they all have chops. This is playtime for everyone.
The format is simple. Five performers take turns directing the others in five impromptu scenes based on audience suggestions. Survivor-style, the audience votes out the scenarios one by one and the remainders get weirder and wilder. It’s all held together by improvised DJing, and someone in the audience wins a T-shirt. What more could you want?
The format is simple. Five performers take turns directing the others in five impromptu scenes based on audience suggestions. Survivor-style, the audience votes out the scenarios one by one and the remainders get weirder and wilder. It’s all held together by improvised DJing, and someone in the audience wins a T-shirt. What more could you want?
4 stars CBC radio 2014
Mix some of this fringe’s best improvisers, comedians and artists on stage and greatness is bound to happen. It’s the solid theory that’s brought the BSIS back to the festival for 16 years under the guidance of local improv master Stephen Sim.
It’s hard to review improv, where a play opens and closes each show. It’s harder when a rotating cast of locals (Crumbs, Outside Joke, DnD, etc.) and tourists (Chris Gibbs, Caitlin Curtis, Rumble Pak, etc.) find new dynamics each night.
But this much talent can hardly go wrong and at least one bit is guaranteed to rock your socks. The added fun of seeing different groups merge is there in the performers’ smiles and fans’ laughs.
You’re in for a treat.
— Matt TenBruggencate
4 stars Winnipeg Free Press
FRAZ vs The Future
Venue #5 Son of Warehouse
Tue, July 22nd 3:15pm
Thu, July 24th 7:00pm
Sat, July 26th 2:00pm
Reviews:
Fraz Wiest delivers up a compelling hour of comedy as a somewhat confused time traveller from the future (but not really) who lectures the present (us in the crowd) on the dangers of social media and other coming perils.
From this clever idea comes a patchwork of creative vignettes that vary too much in tone, from melancholy rumination to full tilt stand-up satire. It’s best when it’s funny. The thinky stuff needs more thinking and sharper writing.
The performance is exceptional, the direction strong and one day in the future a new revised and smoother script will emerge, turning this show that’s well worth seeing into a bona fide Fringe classic.
4 stars CBC Website 2014 Al Rae
SPEECHLESS
The improv show with no words! Our friends Felipe and Daniel (from Colombia) team up with our friend Mama Cutsworth and give you this show. Go see it.
Here is a picture of Felipe at the Goldeyes games. He is not only enjoying his first ever baseball game, it's also his first ever hotdog shot into a crowd.
Tue, July 22nd 4:15PM
Wed, July 23rd 8:45PM
Fri, July 25th 1:45PM
Sat, July 26th 5:00PM
And when the Fringe is over and we are all soaking in out memories of how amazing the shows were, we can look forward to the Winnipeg IF... Improv Festival. The magic doesn't have to end.
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