10°c Partly cloudy
8°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Fringe fest shatters record
Attendance could reach 86,000 mark
A rainy kick-off weekend didn't dampen attendance at this year's Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, which hit record numbers even before the festival's final day.
"As of yesterday, end of day yesterday, we had already broken the attendance record from the previous year," Fringe Festival executive producer Chuck McEwen said Sunday afternoon. "Everything today is gravy, as it were."
Related Items
Thousands of tickets were snapped up Sunday for one last round of theatrics, and the weather complied for the Fringe's final day.
Fringers taking in the fest Sunday night had their own theories on the rising attendance figures.
"I think the quality, if anything, has improved," mused Valinda Morris, who checked out 14 shows this year. The longtime Fringer said she's seen more family-friendly fare -- and families -- at the festival this time around and "a good smattering of outside shows from far away -- New Zealand, U.K., the States."
"There was just lots of variety," said Candace Bialkowski as she perused a Fringe guide for upcoming acts along with her partner, Richard Rodd.
The couple saw eight plays this year after opting for a buddy pass for the first time.
"Kids were old enough to leave with the babysitter," Rodd laughed, before speculating on whether changing demographics in Winnipeg might be playing a part in the turnout boost.
McEwen said the final numbers for the 23rd annual Fringe likely won't be in until this morning. But by end of day Saturday, indoor attendance had hit 81,484, besting last year's total of 81,353. Another 5,000 or so tickets had already been sold by late afternoon Sunday, he said, leaving staff hopeful they might reach the 86,000 mark.
Last year's Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival set a North American record for indoor attendance, albeit briefly. Festival rival Edmonton came out with a continental record of its own roughly a month later, selling 92,279 tickets over the course of its 11-day Fringe.
McEwen said Winnipeg's roster of performers grew slightly this year over last, from 146 to 153 theatre companies. Based on last year's figures, shows attracted an average of 70 guests per performance, he said, including both paid and complimentary tickets.
The latest record shouldn't surprise organizers of a festival that has seen indoor attendance rise steadily in recent years.
But outdoor numbers didn't spike in the same way and the increase in ticket sales likely won't appease the festival's buskers, who complained of thin crowds for their outdoor performances in Winnipeg.
Total attendance last year was 151,353 and McEwen expected this year could reach 160,000, with most of the growth indoors. He said rainy weather two days of the festival, including the typically bustling first weekend, resulted in the lower outdoor numbers.
"With the rain on the first Saturday, that really dropped the attendance on the outdoor quite a bit, because it's one of the busiest days of the whole festival," he said.
Meanwhile, Scar Tissue by Muriel Hogue won the Harry S. Rintoul Memorial Award for best new Manitoba play. The melodrama centred around three generations of damaged women: an intolerant grandmother, her cocktail-loving middle-aged daughter and two grown-up granddaughters, one free spirited, the other simple minded, who bicker and battle over money, appearances and who has been most mistreated by the others.
-- with file from Matt Preprost
FRINGE FEST BY THE NUMBERS
12
days of theatre
23
years in operation
24
venues
70
average number of guests per performance
153
companies involved in the Fringe
86,000
target indoor attendance
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 26, 2010 A3
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Proudly brought to you by:
Most Popular Local
- Thieves strip $20K worth of copper wiring from gravel pit
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- WWE's Jericho breaks code in Brazil
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Gang members get lengthy sentences for jailhouse beating
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Every year 4,000 children reported missing in Manitoba
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Union Station to receive $6.5-million makeover
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- A SHED is not enough
- Football star's fatal punch probed at manslaughter trail
- Cyclist killed in Higgins Avenue crash
- Sex-scandal inquiry to be heard in city
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Female cyclist dies on Higgins after falling into semi's path
- Boozy night out, lying cost city man big bucks
- Neighbours shaken by two deaths
- Teen hit by vehicle on Pembina
- Rapid buses rattling homes
- Severe storm warning issued
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Triple whammy hits homes
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- Ex-Hydro boss slams closure
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- At 100, she's still winning friends and winning at bridge
- His life made our world a better place
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Hydro headquarters named Canada's greenest office tower
- Ex-Bomber sued for $4.8M
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Cummings steps out of reunion for sick mom
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- Weeding out the chemicals
- U of W rejects copyright deal as 'money grab'
- Chemicals not par for the course
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- RRC's old gem a beauty
- Attack on hockey ref nets jail time
- Our Village is as good as it gets
- Judge faces second complaint
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.