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The Winnipeg Fringe Festival officially opens this week with dozens of shows in a wide variety of genres ready to dazzle local audiences. It’s not just the people who are getting on the fun, as Backyard Broadway Theatre demonstrates with their unique spin on an operetta classic.
The Puppets of Penzance sees the beloved Gilbert & Sullivan masterpiece The Pirates of Penzance rendered for a smaller stage at the offices of Creative Manitoba in the Exchange District. The production marks not only the first time that the company has produced something with so much history attached to it, but also a directing debut for local theatre artist Lisa Chartrand.
“They’re all divas,” laughs Chartrand about the puppets themselves, “but thankfully, the humans behind the puppets are incredibly kind and very patient with me.”
Chartrand, along with cast member Nicki LeGrand, who plays the loveable if mis-affectioned Ruth, have plenty of experience presenting Gilbert & Sullivan’s unique blend of music and humour. Both performers were a part of productions with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Winnipeg, with LeGrand serving as the final president of the organization’s board before ceasing operations in 2018.
“The stories within the Gilbert & Sullivan shows are so meaningful,” says LeGrand of the resonating power of their works in Winnipeg. “Often in the music community, it’s kind of a start into the classical music realm because it does kind of bridge that gap between musical theatre and opera, so it’s a good opera-light place to start for a lot of people while they’re getting into the classical stream.”
“The jokes are classic,” adds Chartrand. “They just keep going, they’re so funny. The seriousness of the jokes makes it more funny in a certain way, it’s just classic.”
While The Puppets of Penzance is an abridged version of the original, Gilbert & Sullivan fans will still recognize the melodies and characters that have allowed the show to stand the test of time. “We’ve taken great care in keeping the musical integrity of the show,” LeGrand says, noting that the cuts that were made were to pieces that do not contribute as much to the plot. “It’s the music that people who aren’t as familiar with Gilbert & Sullivan recognize as Gilbert & Sullivan. It’s very important to keep the musical integrity, and I think the puppets do a very good job.”
The Puppets of Penzance plays at Creative Manitoba throughout the run of the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Patrons can visit the festival’s website for more information and showtimes.