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Special Coverage Winnipeg Fringe Festival Fringe Show Reviews

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The Mercury 13

Presented by: MaxQ Productions
Venue #22 - MTYP - Richardson Hall | Play-Drama
Posted: 07/3/2019 1:07 PM | Last Modified: 07/18/2019 1:50 PM | Updates

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 3/7/2019 (564 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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While certainly ambitious, this drama following the story of the Mercury 13 — the 13 female U.S. pilots who, in 1959, began training in earnest to become the first women in space only to have their program squashed — ultimately fails to launch.

This has the bones of a good play. Unfortunately, it’s bogged down by way too many props and distracting costumes that, while period, slow down the pace of the show. Nearly every lighting and blocking cue was blown in a way that suggests fundamental structural problems, not mere technical kinks.

The story was confusing and the ending abrupt, sending this reviewer to Wikipedia after the show. And most of the performances oscillated between not big enough and too cartoonishly over-the-top; an actor should never sound like they’re wearing a wig, you know?

One bright spot was Ruth Reitze's understated yet compelling performance of record-breaking aviation pioneer Geraldyn "Jerrie" Cobb, who unsuccessfully lobbied congress for NASA to include women in its astronaut training program. She stole every scene she was in.

Unfortunately, the rest of the show just wasn’t ready for liftoff.

— Jen Zoratti

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From the Fringe program:

In the early 1960s, 13 female pilots underwent secret medical exams to test their suitability as astronauts. Unfortunately, the world was not yet ready for their dream of reaching the stars. In The Mercury 13, a cast of local Winnipeg actors brings to life this amazing true story of forgotten space pioneers.

Show Length: 60 minutes
Suggested Audience: Parental Guidance
Warnings: Mild language

 

Venue #22 - MTYP - Richardson Hall

2 Forks Market Rd.
The Forks

Seating Capacity: 100

Wheelchair accessible

 

Showtimes

Wed, Jul 17, 2019 – 9:30 PM

Thu, Jul 18, 2019 – 7:45 PM

Fri, Jul 19, 2019 – 7:45 PM

Sun, Jul 21, 2019 – 9:00 PM

Thu, Jul 25, 2019 – 7:45 PM

Fri, Jul 26, 2019 – 7:45 PM

Sat, Jul 27, 2019 – 9:00 PM

Sun, Jul 28, 2019 – 2:45 PM

History

Updated on Thursday, July 18, 2019 at 1:50 PM CDT: Adds review.

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