Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

More Power to Your Knitting, Nell!

Written by: Melanie Gall

Presented by: Sisterscene, New York, NY

Venue 20: The Conservatory

Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/17/2012 12:14 PM | Comments: 0

The musical canon is full of peculiar subjects celebrated in song, but knitting seems one of the least likely.

Who knew there was an American tradition spurring on women left at home during the Second World War to “knit your bit” and turn out socks and scarves to warm soldiers at the front.

Edmonton soprano Melanie Gall has gathered all these long-forgotten vintage tunes to perform while telling the story of Sadie, an aspiring singer who becomes a radio knitting-show star named Nell. Nostalgia runs comfortably through the hour-long More Power, aided by period radio broadcasts and Gall’s lovely rendition of wartime classics like Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again.

Gall even invites an audience member to take up the needles to help with her latest knitting project during the musical monologue. The knitters in the crowd, as well as the rest of the audience, should enjoy her yarn.

-Kevin Prokosh

This review was based on a performance at the Toronto or Montreal Fringe Fest.

From the Fringe program:

Sadie, self-professed hater of knitting, has always dreamed of being a radio star. But when the war starts and she lands a gig as 'Knitting Nell', she's suddenly the galvanizing figure of the 'Fireside Forces', leading the Soldier Girls at Home through her knitting songs.

Features several historic knitting songs (Yes, KNITTING songs!). Bring your knitting and stitch along...

"A master performer" - Edmonton Sun

"A voice that has an ocean of depth" - London Free Press

Recommended for: General audience

Length: 60 min

Tickets: $10

Discount Tickets: $9 for matinees, students, seniors, kids (12 & under), Fringe performers, knitters

History

Updated on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 12:14 PM CDT:
Adds review.

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