Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Dionysus in Stony Mountain

Written by: Steven Ratzlaff

Presented by: Ross McMillan’s Large Successful Theatre Co. (RMLSTC) / Winnipeg, MB

$content.venue

Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/19/2009 3:33 PM | Comments: 0

Steven Ratzlaff’s self-penned two-hander is a lively battle of wits between brilliant prison inmate James Hiebert (Ratzlaff) and the aptly named psychiatrist Dr. Prober (Carolyn Gray).

The good doctor considers it a bad sign that James has gone off his lithium and taken to memorizing long passages from Friedrich Nietzsche. James clings to the notion that his salvation lies in the German philosopher’s notions of religion and human nature.

It’s heavy, potent stuff, but Winnipeg director Ross McMillan paces it briskly over the course of a vigorous 60-minute running time, and Ratzlaff is a bundle of fascinating nervous energy as Hiebert, with Gray providing grounded support throughout.

— Randall King

From the official Fringe Festival program:

“Madness is something rare in individuals – but in groups, parties, peoples, ages it is the rule.” Thus spoke Nietzsche.

Then what to make of our Nietzschean prisoner’s attempt to save his psychiatrist from a life of therapy?

Ross McMillan (last year’s hit What Happened Was) directs Steven Ratzlaff (Glengarry Glen Ross) and Carolyn Gray (Age of Arousal).

RECOMMENDED: Mature Audience

60 min.

Venue#4 Onstage at the Playhouse 180 Market Av (Entrance on John Hirsch Pl)

Tickets: $9

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.