The 2013 Fringe Awards
Fringe Outbreak
The 2013 Fringe Awards were announced at tonight’s Fringe Fried awards ceremony, hosted by Michael James Brown. In a change from previous years, the awards were determined by Theatre in London.ca’s team of volunteer reviewers.
- Outstanding show
- Myra’s Story
- Outstanding individual performance
- Tara Travis (Til Death: The Six Wives of Henry VIII)
- Outstanding cast
- A Beautiful View
- Most daring show
- CIRCLE
- Funniest show
- Be A Man
Two awards were presented by the Fringe festival staff: Spirit of the Fringe and the Producer’s Pick.
All recipients were given caps, to be known as “Tillees”.
A number of achievements were also noted, ranging from “crackerjack” awards (to troupers with notable accomplishments during the festival, such as taking on the most shifts) to long-term service awards for volunteers who have been part of the festival for five and ten years. Volunteers who participated in Nuit Blanche London, held on the closing Saturday night of the festival, were also recognized.
Congratulations to all of the award winners, and many thanks to all of the performers, artists, writers, directors, stage managers, techs, troupers, and Fringe staff and board members. Thanks also to Theatre in London’s review team: Emma Allison, Jo-Anne Bishop, Laurie Bursch, Erika Faust, Clara Madrenas, Bryan McLennon, Jeffrey Preston, and Kirsten Rosenkrantz.
Updated June 17 to include additional details.
” In a change from previous years, the awards were determined by Theatre in London.ca’s team of volunteer reviewers.”
Why the change?
For a number of reasons, notably to start moving them from being popularity-based to being merit-based.
I saw three minutes of Myra’s Story in the Showcase programme and made the following notes for the director:
The character should be multi-lingual, culturally sophisticated and college educated – why? – because those are the actual people from the former Yugoslavia. People who are able to leave conflict zones are not the poor, destitute and uneducated – they are left behind as cannon fodder.
The idea that someone from Sarajevo would be impressed by a Canadian mall is laughable – Yugoslavia was not behind the Iron Curtain. Sarajevo played host to the 1984 Winter Olympics – like today, a very commercial event. And the city has always been host to many international cultural events celebrating theatre, film and literature. I regret not having visited this magnificent city.
Why would this character be happy working at Wal-Mart – minimum wage – with part-time hours – Wal-Mart does not hire fulltime. This character’s new life in Canada would be one of crushing poverty and exploitation. This is not a desirable outcome – that is why one got educated – to get good paying jobs that make a meaningful contribution to society.
This protagonist is unbelievable – It did not merit me spending $10 to view. But I stand corrected – you believe it merits an “Outstanding Award”.
Awards should be voted on by the public in a secret ballot.
You’re fundamentally mistaken, Roy: the show you’re actually referring to is Anatolia Speaks. I saw the whole show and can confirm that you also have many other facts of the story incorrect, as one might expect from only having viewed the three-minute preview. That being said, I think you may have a future writing for The Colbert Report’s recurring “Movies That Are Destroying America” segment! 🙂
My apology – I was writing about Anatolia Speaks – Why do you not simply refute my points instead of making a personal attack?
I’m sorry you found my Colbert reference in poor taste. I don’t think you gave Anatolia Speaks a fair shake, but given that your comments on its apparent inconsistencies aren’t germane to this article, I’d suggest directing them to the playwright, Kenneth Brown.