Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Whiskey Bars

Written by: by Bremner Duthie, songs by Kurt Weill

Presented by: Big Empty Barn Productions, Paris, France

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Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/15/2011 4:33 PM | Comments: 0

The Playhouse Studio (Venue 3), to July 24

A dingy dressing room is the stage for this musical drama written by and featuring singer/actor Bremner Duthie, out of Paris, France. He plays a cabaret performer, trying to revive a failing career in a fading genre, hoping to persuade a theatre critic to like his show well enough to give him the “one pullable quote” he can use to relaunch his career.

Bremner’s confident performance is a tightrope walk of humour and pathos as he slowly adds layers to the life of his character while dressing to face the terror of the stage. The Kurt Weill songs are powerful, and Duthie’s version of Mack the Knife is unconventional, with the real horror of its lyrics emphasized by its performance in whiteface.

Outstanding vocals combined with powerful musical compositions and a strong storyline make this one-man show a “don’t-miss.”

— Wendy Burke

From the official Fringe Festival program:

Fast-paced fusion of reality, comedy, music … and a touch of tragedy. Strikingly original tale of a singer's final comeback, fuelled by too many vodka martinis and Kurt Weill's dark, daring songwriting.

CBC Manitoba says, "A gem of a show, an absolute MUST."

Britain's Sunday Times says, "A fantastic show -- outstanding singing. Utterly memorable."

Winnipeg Sun says, "Extraordinary"

Recommended For: General Audience

Length: 60 min.

Tickets: $10

Discount Tickets: $9 for Seniors, Unemployed

Warnings: Language

http://www.bremnerduthie.com/

History

Updated on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM CDT:
Adds review

Updated on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 4:33 PM CDT:
Corrects review to published version

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