Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Actionable

Written by: Bob Wiseman

Presented by: grow or die music / Toronto

$content.venue

Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/18/2010 2:56 PM | Comments: 0

Whether you enjoy this 60-minute music- and PowerPoint-enhanced memoir might rely on how you feel about Winnipeg-born singer-songwriter Bob Wiseman… and according to the pie chart he provides at the play’s outset, the majority of people find him annoying.

The puckish performer could certainly widen his share of the pie with this delightful show that’s one part concert, one part poetry slam and one part truth-is-stranger-than-fiction standup. The former Blue Rodeo keyboardist recounts his many run-ins with lawyers over the years, which range from the absurd to the ridiculous, and performs the offending material — both old and new, political and personal — on guitar and accordion with prerecorded backing accompaniment and droll videos/Super 8 films.

It’s a stretch to call Actionable a play — it’s more of a concert with multimedia enhancement and witty banter — but Wiseman’s songs have enough humour, pathos and rage for any stage.

— Jill Wilson

From the official Fringe Festival guide:

Actionable reflects upon litigious situations resulting from Bob Wiseman's "actions" while trying to establish his solo career after quitting Blue
Rodeo in 1991. These often hilarious tales are presented using Super 8 film, video projection, PowerPoint and musical breaks on accordion, guitar and keyboard.

"As real as life and death - and sometimes funny too" - David Byrne

www.bobwiseman.com

Warnings: Language,
RECOMMENDED: General Audience

60 min

Rudolph Rocker Cultural Centre (Venue 19), to Saturday

Tickets: $10
Discount Tickets: $7 for Fringe performers

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Fringe Show Reviews

Undock

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.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

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.