The Winnipeg Fringe Festival returns, showcasing a wide-ranging lineup of independent theatre, improv, and experimental performances from local, Southeast Manitoba artists.
Dryden Dilts — Julius Caesar
In this modernized retelling of Shakespeare, the play takes viewers on a journey of political intrigue, power, and the comedic chaos that follows.
Dryden Dilts, director of Julius Caesar, self-proclaimed theatre nerd, and Southeast local, says the Winnipeg Fringe Festival has something for everybody.
“This year, we’ve got Julius Caesar, a classic tragedy, with a little bit of a modern spin to it,” says Dilts.
Dilts says the story takes the audience on a fun journey.
“It’s got some laughs. It’s got some heartbreak, some tragedies — the characters go through a lot of stuff.”
Dilts works with Indifferently Reformed, a company specializing in contemporary productions of Shakespearean classics.
“It’s a great company to work with, a lot of up-and-coming actors in the Winnipeg scene, some recent university graduates, some local people (from Steinbach) in the company as well,” Dilts says.
This is Dilts’ second year directing at Fringe. Although he knows what the process looks like, this year’s show comes with its own set of challenges, strengths, and excitements — he’s embracing it all.
“It doesn’t just become easy after doing it once, new challenges present themselves... But it is nice to have more of an idea. Ok, we’ve been here before; we kind of know what to expect. Let’s just have fun with it.”
Jeremy Plett — The DnD Improv Show XVI: The Chosen One
The DnD Improve Show XVI (16): The Chosen One, follows a set of unique characters through a journey of magic, mystery, good and evil.
Steinbach’s own, Jeremy Plett, who plays Menno Knight in The DnD Improv Show, says it’s a fun time for everyone if you are a fan of the fantasy roleplaying game or not.
“But if you don’t know anything about Dungeons and Dragons, that, in no way, take(s) away from the fun of the show,” says Plett.
He says the show creates an atmosphere similar to a sporting event – with the audience cheering, reacting, and supporting characters as the adventure unfolds.
Each show, or episode, has its own arc and is self-contained, but also plays off the previous episodes. However, if you miss a show, not to fear, you won’t be lost.
“It’s an improv show, (with) a bunch of characters going on adventures and they cross paths...Each episode has its own arc, so if you miss one episode, you’re not going to be lost,” Plett explains.
He explains the show follows traditional tabletop game guidelines, blending improvised twists and turns into the mix.
“The Dungeons and Dragons' aspect is (that) we have these giant dice that we will roll on stage depending on if someone tries something,” Plett says.
The dice decide the characters’ fates, adding unpredictability in real time.
But that's not all — Steinbach resident, Alan Fehr, stars in The Naked Mennonite, premiering at this year’s festival.
Check out the Winnipeg Fringe Festival website for all the details, schedules, and information on these performances, and others.
Written with files from Kenton Dyck