By Sarah Klein
Old Market Square will be transformed into a circus-like setting for the next 12 days as the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival takes over.
This year’s theme of Big Top Fringe will begin today with the BIZ Noon-Hour Extravaganza, and will go until midnight with appearances by Banshee’s Wail, Zap Circus, Enjoy Your Pumas and others. Acrobats, jugglers and lion tamers will also be in the mix.
The festival will extend to nearby streets, with Albert and Arthur Streets taking on a funhouse from noon to 6 p.m. with carnival games, face painting, balloon sculpting and storytelling.
More than 1,200 performances by 150 companies from around the world will begin at 5:30 p.m. as part of the indoor shows. Tickets range in price from $5 to $10 and can be purchased in advance and at the door.
Advance tickets for all indoor Fringe shows, Frequent Fringer Passes (10 plays for only $79) and Buddy Passes (14 shows for $109) are available by calling the MTC Box Office at (204) 942-6537, in person at 174 Market Avenue or WinnipegFringe.com.
The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival runs until July 24.
