The circus leaves town: 10 picks for the Winnipeg Fringe's closing weekend

This is it, theatre fans the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival wraps up its 30th edition on Sunday.

Our review crew caught more than 100 of the 188 shows at this year's festival. We've already highlighted some of our favourites from the opening weekend and some family-friendly picks, but here are a few more must-sees to try to cram into your schedule before it all comes to an end, and when you can catch them this weekend.

• Read our reviews from the 2017 Winnipeg Fringe Festival

Catalpa:"If I could give this one six stars, I would," wrote reviewer Sarah Broadfoot. Sharon Bajer's solo performance inDonal O'Kelly's play about a 19th-century prison break is "a masterpiece worthy of sellouts for every performance." (Friday at 7:15 p.m. and Saturday at noon.)

Donating Sperm to My Sister's Wife:Don't let the title throw you off Georgia standupcomic Stewart Huff's show isa thoughtful and extremely funny treatise on how we make the world a better place. He delivers socially conscious comedy with impeccable timing and has been charming audiences since his first sold-out show here. (Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 12:15 p.m.)

Edgar Allan:A stylish, creepy and darkly delightful tale ofan over-achievingboarding schoolstudent and his bestie/archnemesis. It's been packing the MTC Up the Alley venue since the start of the festival, so get your tickets early. (Friday at 5:45 p.m. and Saturday at 9:15 p.m.)

Hot Thespian Action: Fourplay: Honestly, we could put any of the superb comic acts at the Gas Station Theatre this year (includingDnD Improv, HUNKS and Outside Joke) on this list. But local sketch comedy favourites Hot Thespian Action are back after a year away from the fringe and comedy fans (including our own MarloCampbell, who caught the show just for fun) are buzzing about their collection of sketches this year. (Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m.)

The House of Yes:A stellar local cast delivers in this black comedy with a "truly magnificent script filled with witty one-liners," reviewer Michelle Palanskysaid."You cannot say no toThe House of Yes." (Saturday at 6:45 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.)

The Inventor of All Things:Fringe favourite Jem Rolls'reworked version of this 2015 show an ode to the under-recognized Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard, whosolved the mysteries that enabled the creation of the atom bomb isfrenetic and captivating. Part history lesson, part biography, and completely engrossing. (Friday at 10:15 p.m. and Saturday at 1:45 p.m.)

Prophecy:This is another show generating lots of fringe buzz, along with a rave review from our own Bradley Sawatzky. Playwright JessyArdernis "a powerhouse of a writer" who delivers a compelling script about Cassandra, cursed to foresee the future and not be believed.Actor Carmen Nieuwenhuis"effortlessly dances in and out ofmany roles and perspectives" in a show that delivers it all. (Friday at 7:45 and Saturday at 9:30.)

Sex Ed:Writer/performer KerryIpemais "charm personified" in this "absolute winner," our reviewer said. It delivers comedy, but also goes deeper by offering"light and hope to all those coming of age." (Friday at 7:15.)

SwordPlay: A Play of Swords: "Swashbuckle your way to the West End Cultural Centre for Sex T. Rex's hilarious mash-up of classic fantasy video games, The Princess Bride and, well, almost everything else," reviewer Kelly Stifora wrote. Fights, ingenious use of simple props andan irreverent plot come together to create a "sheer, unrelenting comic force." (Friday at 5:30 p.m., Saturday at 9 p.m. and Sunday at 7:45 p.m.)

Woody Sed:You won't need to be a folk music fan to appreciate Thomas Jones's tribute to Woody Guthrie, an "engrossing tale" delivered by "a consummate storyteller." (Saturday at noon and Sunday at 5:15 p.m.)

Joff's top picks from the Fringe: Fri. July 28

7 years ago

Duration 2:18

CBC's Joff Schmidt has highlights and top picks from the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

• More coverage from the Winnipeg Fringe Festival:

With files from Sarah Broadfoot, Marlo Campbell, Kirsten Neil, Michelle Palansky, Bradley Sawatzky, Kelly Stiforaand Robin Summerfield.