Generous
by Michael Healey, directed by Rod Beilfuss
September - October 2011
A minority government is on the verge of collapse; a ruthless oil executive tells the truth to a reporter; an effusive young law clerk engages in an excruciating post-coital chat with an aging judge; and a spectacular battle wages over a bucket of fried chicken.
"Finally, the political comedy this country had coming. 4.5 STARS" - Kenton Smith, Uptown Magazine
Generously supported by Red River Co-op, The Winnipeg Foundation, Winnipeg Arts Council, Winnipeg Free Press and Uptown Magazine
Autobahn
by Neil LaBute, directed by Cory Wreggitt
Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2011
4 actors. 12 characters. 6 shorts set in the front seat of a car. From place to place, a string of choices to get us where we intend to go easily leads somewhere new...
"LaBute's material is inevitably disturbing, but often very funny, and the performances here make it come alive, leaving this production a perfect embodiment of fringe theatre at its best. 4 STARS" - Randall King, Winnipeg Free Press
One Good Marriage
by Sean Reycraft, directed by James Firby
July - September 2010
Steph and Stewart are an nice, slightly odd, newly married couple. Whose wedding was very, very nice. And then everyone died. A comedy.
"This wonderfully dark comedy is fringe-style theatre at its finest. It's too quirky for the mainstage yet gloriously at home on the edge. 5 STARS" - Wendy Burke, Winnipeg Free Press
Habitat
by Judith Thompson, directed by Arne MacPherson
May 2010
Life is good for the residents of Mapleview Lanes ... until Lewis Chance buys a house on their street to open a group home for troubled adolescents. Two worlds collide in Judith Thompson's disturbing look at our modern "not in my backyard" politics.
"stunningly honest... Thompson's poetic images are rich and rewarding... The journey is well worth taking. 4 STARS" - Alison Mayes, Winnipeg Free Press
Generously supported by the Manitoba Arts Council, Telpay, the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Aquabooks and the Winnipeg Foundation
Saint Joan
by Bernard Shaw, directed by Debbie Patterson
June 2009
Who was Joan of Arc?
Warrior or temptress?
Strategist or schizophrenic?
Hero or fanatic?
A political thriller exploring the relativity of truth and the temptation of idealism.
Generously supported by the Winnipeg Arts Council
Billy Bishop Goes To War
by John Gray with Eric Peterson, directed by Rod Beilfuss
October 2008
Our young, Owen Sound boy had to "fight! fight! fight!" for King and Country in the dog fights of World War One. Kill the enemy at all costs because that's what he's trying to do too!
The madness of war met the music of vaudeville in this crown jewel of Canadian theatre.
"The play's opening performance was an absolute smash. From the soliloquies, to the music and vocals, and even the lighting, everything was brilliantly spot-on" – Uniter Review
The Bush-Ladies: In Their Own Words
by Molly Thom, directed by Hope McIntyre
Summer 2008
The remarkable journeys of four extraordinary women, from their arrival in 1830's Canada, through their soul-testing trials to the blossoming of their love for this beautiful land.
Taken verbatim from the diaries of Susanna Moodie, Catherine Parr-Traill, Anne Langton and Anna Jameson, Theatre by the River was proud to present the Manitoba premier at the Winnipeg Fringe (Best of Fest) and then continue the run in beautiful Assiniboine Park.
"Invigorating and educational theatre... top notch production!" – Winnipeg Free Press
Generously supported by Assiniboine Credit Union
Oedipus Rex
by Sophocles, directed by Matthew TenBruggencate
October 2007
In a modern twist , the Greek classic found charismatic preacher Brother Oedipus Rex desperate to stop the divinely vengeful plauge from destroying his congregation. Described by Uptown Magazine as "an important artistic statement" and the first play to be performed in Osborne Village's distinctive, 100-year old Augustine United Church.
Generously supported by the Winnipeg Arts Council
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
by William Shakespeare, directed by Vicky McMahon
August 2007
Presented at Assiniboine Park's beautiful cricket pavilion, the company dove straight into Shakespeare's problem play about the difference between men and gentlemen. A special benefit night was held for the Winnipeg Humane Society in honour of "the bit with the dog."
The History of Theatre
by Brent Hirose, Mel Marginet and Matthew TenBruggencate
Premiered at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2007
"A fast paced comedy romp" (Pat St. Germain, Winnipeg Free Press) following three actors on a desperate quest to discover the significance of theatre to society, both past and present. A new work by the company, History was a finalist for the Harry Rintoul Award for best new Manitoba play.
The Elfin Knight
by Christine Foster, directed by Shannon Guile
Winnipeg Kids Fringe 2006
Intended for children and enjoyable for all ages, The Elfin Knight is an exciting Canadian play set in Cape Breton. Performed at Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers Studio as part of the 2006 Fringe Festival, The Elfin Knight received two 4-star reviews (CBC & Winnipeg Free Press).
The Comedy of Errors
by William Shakespeare, directed by Matthew TenBruggencate
August 2006
A comedy centered on the mistaken identity surrounding two sets of twins, Theatre by the River performed Comedy of Errors live on the riverbank of Assiniboine Park. Offered to the public for a ticket price of "admission by donation", the company looks at the brother's identity crisis as they search for... themselves.
