2012 Saskatoon Fringe Festival... - Star Phoenix

potashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival
powers up the fun
by Tom Eremondi
of Sp Creative Features
Canada’s biggest little Fringe. Saskatchewan’s largest
outdoor street festival.
Both aspects of the PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival,
running from August 2 to 11, will be even better this year,
says Bob Wyma, festival producer.
“The PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival turned a profit
last year, the first time it’s done so in a few years,” he reports.
“We did this because theatre attendance was up 10 per cent
from 10,000 to 11,000 tickets sold. Our success also came
because of increased interest from street vendors.”
He says this year’s Fringe also will be bigger. “Because of
demand from companies who love being in Saskatoon, we’ve
added one production. There are 38 productions this year,
which means that theatre fans young and old will have their
choice of 228 show times. That’s about 22 shows every day.”
Productions will run in four venues – the Broadway
Theatre, Cosmopolitan Seniors’ Centre, Oskayak Gymnasium
and the Victoria School Upstairs Auditorium. While the
Broadway is a natural venue, the PotashCorp Fringe Theatre
Festival converts the other three sites into theatres for the week.
“Part of the reason for our success last year was our
efforts to improve visibility with raised stages and light
towers,” Wyma says. “Audiences told us how much they
enjoyed that so we’ll do it again this year.”
He says excitement for the festival is shown by the number
of companies wanting to take part in Saskatoon’s Fringe. “All
of our local, national and international slots were filled by
December and we had waitlists in every category.”
The 2012 PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival sees
performers coming from Newfoundland to British
Columbia, New York to San Francisco, and
England to Australia. There are comedies,
dramas, musical theatre and children’s shows
ranging from one man plays to ensemble
casts. “The Fringe always has brought
the best in edgy, experimental theatre,”
Wyma says. “This year’s roster of plays
will continue that tradition.”
Drawing 40,000 plus people to
Broadway Avenue over the 10 day
festival, Wyma says the street festival
also will be much improved. “We’ve
seen a 100 per cent increase in food
vendors this year. As a result, we’re
planning a dedicated food market on
11th Street. To go with that, we’ll have
a dining tent to increase the enjoyment of
people who eat at the Fringe.”
He adds that another major change will improve the
hugely popular street performer element. “This year we’ve
created a schedule. People looking for a specific performer or
a certain type of act can find it in the StarPhoenix guide. If you
catch an act you really like early in the festival, you’ll know
exactly when to come back to see them again.”
Wyma is also pleased to report that the PotashCorp
Fringe Theatre Festival has a comprehensive green strategy
this year. “Buttons on the Bus is back, and we have confirmed
our partnership with Loraas’ All Green Recycling for full on site
recycling. Bins will be set up to encourage vendors, performers
and Fringe patrons to recycle. We’ll also continue moving
forward with our paperless ticketing systems. This allows
people to purchase tickets online or via their mobile phones
and then just show up at the venue ahead of time to check in.”
In addition to this guide, Wyma says fans can
view PotashCorp Fringe Theatre Festival information
at the revamped website or the mobile site. Just visit
potashcorpfringe.org or mobile.25thstreettheatre.org .
The potashCorp
Fringe Theatre Festival,
running august 2 to 11,
presents 228 independent theatre
shows, a full schedule of street
performers, dozens of market
vendors, and an enlarged and
enhanced food court.
(Sp file photo)
facebook.com/stoonfringe twitter.com/25thStreet #PCFringe
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