Saturday 28 July 2018

Lovers Love Haters Hate

CBC gave Bill Pritchard's Address to the Jury a kinder review than did the Winnipeg Free Press, but even the Free Press's review by Jen Zoratti was kind of factual and not really a pan.

The ones who love the play are the socialists among us.  A non-socialist coming to review the play, well, just might not get it.

So, yes.  The audience cheers loudly and lets others know they like it!  A 4.5 Star popular rating, well that's feels like a hit.

Last show tomorrow, Sunday July 29 at 12:15.  Venue 11 - Red River (William at Princess)

It  has been a great run.  

Friday 27 July 2018

Wrapping Bill Pritchard

The set seems cold when empty but hot when The Speaker takes the space.

With two more shows left in our 2018 Winnipeg Fringe Festival run, it almost feels like a wrap - but it has been a satisfyingly slow build.

Bill Pritchard's Address to the Jury was honoured by being short-listed for the 2018 Harry S. Rintoul Award for the Best First Run Manitoba Play at The Fringe - so kudo's to playwright, Dale Lakevold.  The winner of the Rintoul Award will be announced on July 29.  There is a feeling that the play will live on with subsequent staging in Brandon later in 2018 and possibly again in Winnipeg in 2019 although this is truthfully still all complete speculation.

Crowds have been modest in size, 20 to 50, but enthusiasm has been universal. Socialists love the play, and the thoughtfulness of the script.  James Forsythe's performance has become more relaxed and yet, intense with each show.  His character, The Speaker, has emerged from page and the realities of The Left over the past century are felt through his performance.

Bill Pritchard's address to the Jury has been delivered by a small crew with Nancy McLennan at the soundboard and Hayley Mummery delivering lighting design and cues.  All four in RootSky's troupe are glad to have brought this short play to the 2018 Winnipeg Fringe.

Tuesday 10 July 2018

Buzz


In these times: Fringe play by BU profs finds hope in Winnipeg General Strike of 1919

July 10, 2018


BRANDON – Root Sky Productions, a political theatre company led by Brandon University (BU) professors, will premiere its latest offering at this year’s Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.
Bill Pritchard’s Address to the Jury, a play about the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, opens at Venue 11, Red River College (160 Princess St.) in Winnipeg on July 19 and ends its run of eight shows on July 29.
For more information, contact Lakevold at lakevold@hotmail.com or Nelly Mills at nellymills@gmail.com.

Thursday 5 July 2018

Feeling Pritchard's Pull

In these dark times: Finding hope today in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919