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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Donkey Derby
Our Rating: 
You might say life itself is a donkey derby — a weird sort of festival in Ireland in which three townsfolk are nominated to ride stubborn, uncontrollable donkeys in a race.
Tess McManus, the Ottawa creator of this solo comedy/drama reflecting her Irish roots, is a sweet-faced charmer with sparkling stage presence. She plays Mary, a self-doubting young woman who’s afraid to participate in the derby because of her acute social anxiety. McManus ultimately links that anxiety to growing up in a culture fraught with tension between Protestants and Catholics.
Her plea for peace feels awkwardly grafted onto her story, and the tale could have used more laughs. But the talented McManus had us rooting for her all the way.
— Alison Mayes
From the Fringe program:
A young Irish girl's family enters her into Letterkenny's annual Donkey Derby. Mary must either face her fears of not living up to expectations, thwarting social perceptions and looking silly in front of the handsome and off-beat Murphy Donovan, or find a graceful way out of the competition.
From the director of "She Rules With Iron Sticks" (5 STARS), "33: A Kabarett" (5 STARS) and "Playing for Advantage" (5 STARS)
Recommended For: General Audience
Length: 60 min
Tickets: $10
Discount Tickets: $9 for First performance
Under 10 not admitted.
History
Updated on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 3:43 PM CDT:
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