Fringe performers share their top local spots, slogan ideas: Like our slogan, some people like it

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This article was published 22/07/2024 (774 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As always, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, which runs to Sunday at various locations, attracts artists from all over the world. We sent out a survey to a handful of out-of-towners about their experiences at North America’s second-largest fringe. Here are some of their responses:

Martin Dockery

Brooklyn, N.Y.

First fringe: 2009

Current shows: Martin Dockery: Truth; The Stakeout

Never Forget Your First

My first fringe was 2009, and I’ve returned from Brooklyn every year since then. During the pandemic fringes, I participated virtually. As such, this is my 16th consecutive fringe.

When I’m in town, I always visit…

Obvious to say: the King’s Head Pub. Socially, it’s the beating heart of the fringe. For two weeks you can walk in alone with no plans, and it’ll be as if everyone knows your name and wants you to sit at their table.

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

Winnipeg: Like our slogan, some people like it.

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

There are too many fond memories to settle on one. I’ll say this: my mother and godmother came from New York to the fringe last year, and whenever people heard who they were, they treated the two of them with the utmost kindness, making sure they were always well taken care of.

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

It’s 2,065 km as the crow flies. Or 2,660 as the car drives.

Have you noticed any changes in the city since your first visit?

Since first coming in 2009, it seems that the city’s been on a slow and steady upswing. I notice this most in the Exchange District where I spend most of my time. There seem to be a lot more shops and restaurants of a higher quality.

What’s the best thing you ever ate in Winnipeg?

The Giant Apple Pancake at the Original Pancake House at The Forks.

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

Don’t ask me how to implement this, but I wish that delis/bodegas/mini-markets were prevalent. There seem to be no such places in the Exchange where you can duck in to get something quick and inexpensive, whether a sandwich, snack, or common household item.

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

The inherent uncertainty of how one’s show will fare. There is an inordinate amount of money, hope, ambition, scheduling, rehearsing, travelling, and for me, child care, that goes into arranging to do a show at the festival. Managing one’s disappointment when it doesn’t go well can sometimes necessitate a deep dive into the dark side of one’s own ego.

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

I’d love to be able to throw my voice so that it sounded like it was coming from behind the audience. I could devise a very interesting solo show that would sound like it was two people.

Describe your show in five words or fewer.

Truth is ridiculous, funny, subversive, galvanizing storytelling.

The Stakeout is funny, heart-rending, mind-bending, unique, surprising.

Jimmy Hogg

Toronto via Plymouth, U.K..

First fringe: 2008

Current show: The Potato King

When I’m in town, I always visit…

The King’s Head — I remember going back there first day of my second fringe in Winnipeg (2009) and the bartender knew what I drank — I’ve never felt so at home.

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

Real People, Real Flavour!

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

(Former Exchange District restaurant) Mondragon was amazing — vegan — and I’m a carnivore.

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

Transit, the answer is always transit. And build a giant dome over the place to keep out the black flies and snow.

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

Boring answer: admin. Dealing with FOMO. You have to go to bed, you can’t see every show, you can’t hang out with everyone every night. Get yourself to bed right this instant, young man!

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

Making the conservative party in the U.K. disappear forever.

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

Working-class town with the best fish and chips in the world.

Describe your show in five words or fewer.

Potato potato potato potato spuds.

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