On the town with Fringe fest performers

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This article was published 25/07/2024 (729 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Adam Bailey

Toronto

First fringe: 2015

Current show: All Hail Mrs. Satan

Never Forget Your First

In 2015 I premièred Adam Bailey Is on Fire, my first solo show, all about growing up the gay son of an evangelical minister. That show went on to become an award winner and, as of this year, Winnipeg will be where I have premièred four of my original works, including Franz Ferdinand Must Die and The Truth(tm), which won a local Jenny Award.

When I’m in town, I always visit…

I must have Little Bones wings when I am here. I need the lemon-dill sauce! That is a uniquely Winnipeg thing and I love it. The food trucks at the Winnipeg fringe are the best. Nuburger is also a favourite in Osborne Village, and I will always have a Pho Hoang before I start my run.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten in Winnipeg?

I brought my husband here for fringe a few years ago and we celebrated our wedding anniversary by going to Deer + Almond. It was a very special meal, very romantic, and we still talk about it. It might be one of our most special meals in Canada.

Winnipeg’s current slogan is “Made from What’s Real.” Some people don’t like it, others do. What slogan would you suggest?

“A Fork in the Road,” because of The Forks and the city’s history as being a transit hub? Slogans are hard.

When people ask about your Winnipeg fringe experiences, which stories spring to mind?

When I tell people about my first time here it’s always about how gobsmacked I was by how much international talent there is and how much it brings the city together. My city’s fringe, while great fun, literally runs out of a back alley. Here it’s smack in the middle of the Exchange District! And it attracts artists from the U.S., Australia, South Africa, Japan, as well as local talents, who come back so regularly that we are all friends now.

Have you noticed any changes in the city since the first time you visited?

I kinda love the changes that have happened to Central Park. Whenever I walk through there I see families enjoying themselves and it really makes me happy. The soccer pitches really seem to be a highlight for the community.

Based on your visits, what suggestions do you think the city should incorporate to improve itself?

Like a lot of Canadian cities, Winnipeg is too modest! This is a great city. It’s my sixth time here and I keep coming back. Love your city core more! It’s special, historic, walkable, with great food and great people. And also — never lose the ghost signs! Those are just too cool.

What’s the most challenging part of performing on the fringe circuit?

Every circuit performer is experienced at what they do and has a show that will hit with the right audience. But we are all artists with artists’ egos and when a review comes from someone who doesn’t click with our work — which happens to even the best shows — it can take its toll on you if you’re not careful. I always think on (veteran fringe performer) TJ Dawe’s advice that the whole circuit is a roller-coaster. The ups and downs are inevitable, and you need to let go and enjoy the ride.

Describe your show in five words or fewer.

Unerasing important woman from history.

Rob Gee

Toronto, Ont., via Leicester, U.K.

First fringe: 2006

Current shows: AWOL and Verbal Tapas

Never Forget Your First

This will be my 13th fringe. The first was 2006 when I was in a double act. We were at the Press Club and hardly anyone came. In fact, so few people came that I befriended them and we’ve been mates ever since.

When I’m in town, I always visit…

The King’s Head! Every day. Because I have my issues.

Winnipeg’s current slogan is “Made from What’s Real.” Some people don’t like it, others do. What slogan would you suggest?

It’s not quite as silly as “Spirited Energy,” but that’s a low bar. How about, “Winnipeg: Friendlier than You.”

When people ask about your Winnipeg fringe experiences, which stories spring to mind?

Numerous stories based around the King’s Head car park, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy.

How many kilometres (or miles) do you have to travel to get to Winnipeg? How are you getting here?

Four thousand miles. That’s how much I like you.

Based on your visits, what suggestions do you think the city should incorporate to improve itself?

Just be you. Who wants to be like Toronto?

What’s the most challenging part of performing on the fringe circuit?

Writing a new show and having it judged by strangers. Conversely, it’s the most rewarding part, too.

There are a lot of magic shows this year. If you could pull off one magic trick, what would it be?

Something about hypnosis. It would save me having to promote my shows.

The theme this year is Gone Fringin’: Venture into Our Neck of the Woods. Describe your neck of the woods in one sentence.

Leicester, U.K.: A beacon of co-existence where everyone’s a minority.

The fringe can be exhausting. Share your secret to keeping your energy up.

Exhausting? Don’t make me laugh. It’s a fringe tour, not an Amazon warehouse. No great revelations here: do what you love, have fun, pace yourself.

Describe your show in five words or fewer.

AWOL: Seniors escape to metal festival

Verbal Tapas: Good accent, crap teeth.

For more information on the fringe and to buy tickets, see winnipegfringe.com.

ben.waldman@winnipegfreepress.com

Ben Waldman
Reporter

Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University’s (now Toronto Metropolitan University’s) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben.

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