Winnipeg Fringe Festival: 13 great shows for a young audience

Looking for a family-friendly show?

Our CBC Review Crew highlights some of our favourite productions suitable for young Fringers:

Recommended for ages 3to 8:

African Folktales with Erik de Waal

"The two tales might burn a bit slowly for very fidgety Fringers, but for toddlers and elementary school-aged kids, de Waal is a reliable bet."

Opera Mouse

"Bona fide soprano and Fringe veteran Melanie Gall uses her considerable vocal talents plus puppets to grab kids' attention. And she gives them plenty of chances to holler out their ideas, sing along and even step into the spotlight."

You Can Do Magic Too

"If you're looking for a show that the whole family will enjoy, illusionist Greg Wood is your go-to guy....Kids get to try their hand at sleight-of-hand and misdirection with card, rope and locked-box tricks."

Squirrel Stole My Underpants

"Themoment dancer and puppeteer Bonnie Duncan steps on stage, the audience is captivated by her baskets of laundry and the wonders they hold. This wordless show is like a silent movie starring Raggedy Ann."

Blink's Garden

"Well-rehearsed performances from the large young cast, and some smart staging of the poem, help its message connect with a young audience. And at a compact 30 minutes, it's well paced for youngsters."

Recommended for ages 8and up:

The Mystery of Krummhorn Castle

"Winnipeg playwright Joseph Aragon says he first dreamed up the idea for this musical when he was just 12 years old and you can tell. Who else but a kid would cram kung fu kicking orphans, mad scientists and a genetically engineered "octo-bunny" (part rabbit, part octopus) into one mysterious castle?"

Vaudevillian

"Many of James Jordan's tricks are likely ones you've seen before, though he executes them all impressively, and they still provide lots of delightfully head-scratching moments."

James & Jamesy in the Dark

"These guys are maestros at making theatre magic with the simplest of elements. It's like watching two big imaginative kids in a tent with flashlights, as they bring to life a whole world and invite you to step inside."

(Reviewer's note: There's one lengthy scene in total darkness, so not recommended for little kids.)

Beau &Aero

"Dressed as old-timey aviatorsin vintage goggles and scarves, Hunter and Cantor deliver busker-style, silent physical comedy. Balloons and juggling pins are their tools of the trade and (be warned) they like to turn audience members into foils."

(Reviewer's note: This play runs an hour, so not for the restless!)

Tourology: A Mindy and Marge Adventure

"A family-friendly and pleasantly amusing way to walk through The Exchange. Not quite a grand adventure, but good Fringe fun."

(Reviewer's note: There's a fair bit of walking, so bring a stroller if you're bringing a toddler. Kids under seven may have trouble keeping up.)

Recommended for older kids (with a proviso):

Barely Living

"For a story that relies on guts and brains, it serves up some good clean fun. I took my 8-year-old daughter and she had a blast, getting only the jokes she should and leaving the handful of raunchy ones for those over the height requirement."

Snack Music

"Wondering whether to take a child? Some of the content is a little bit racy, and you never know what you're gonna get when you invite strangers on stage, but if you've got a pretty "with it" kid, I'm sure they'll love it, too."

Loon

"Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most clever, the most wondrous. InLoon, the simplicity in the use of lights, props and Braidwood's on-point performance unlocks our imaginations, giving us adults a little bit of much-needed magic."

(Reviewer's note: Recommended for kids who are comfortable sitting through a more gently-paced show.)