ABOUT THE FRINGE
•Fringe is 100% uncensored •100% unjuried •100% accessible
•100% of tickets go directly to the artists involved!
Presenting live theatre in an informal, accessible and inexpensive environment, the Fringe strives to break down traditional boundaries between audience and artist, encouraging open dialogue between theatre-goers and theatre-creators. Audiences are invited to experience the work of seasoned veterans alongside that of emerging artists. Local, national and international performing companies benefit from working together and learning from each other in a vibrant and exciting festival atmosphere. In order to stimulate artistic innovation, applications for participation in Fringe Festivals are accepted on a non-juried lottery.
HISTORY of the FRINGE
Fringe Festivals have been entertaining audiences for over 50 years, beginning with the original festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. In time these artistic celebrations spread around the world. Over the past 19 years, the Fringe movement in Canada has grown to 18 festivals, we now enjoy the presence of more ‘Fringes’ than any other country. The Edmonton Fringe Festival is Canada’s oldest and biggest. The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival has enjoyed tremendous growth and success since its inception in 1987, and currently ranks as the second largest event of its kind in North America.
Produced by the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the first WINNIPEG FRINGE FESTIVAL was held in 1987 and founded on the basic principles of the Edmonton Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh (Scotland) Fringe before it. The idea was to provide a forum for alternative theatre companies to demonstrate their work at low prices to a large Winnipeg audience. The organisers provided a festival background as a catalyst to promote a cooperative atmosphere and the exchange of ideas. In so doing, they hoped to bring new international performers to Winnipeg, while giving a boost to young local performers.
To view the 2008 Fringe website, click here.
To view the 2007 Fringe website, click here.
To view the 2006 Fringe website, click here.
Photo: Leif Norman
